India, July 23 -- NEW DELHI

A Delhi court on Wednesday declined a request opposing the seating of Aftab Poonawala, the accused in the murder of Shraddha Walkar, near the advocate's desk during the trial, observing that neither can an accused be denied proper seating in the courtroom nor a treatment which may reek of disgust and vengeance.

Additional sessions judge Hargurvarinder Singh Jaggi of Saket courts passed the order in response to a plea made by advocate Seema Khushwaha, representing Walkar's brother, while the prosecution evidence of a witness was being recorded.

During the proceedings, the counsel lodged her protest that Poonawala should not sit adjacent to or next to the advocate's desk. The court noted that it had often perm...