The enduring trial in the Lakhan Bhaiya fake encounter case is likely to lengthen further owing to the transfer of Special Judge VD Jadhavar, who has been hearing the case for several months, ordered by Bombay High Court yesterday. On Tuesday the special court reserved its judgment in the matter — in which dismissed encounter ace Pradeep Sharma is the key accused till March 30.

Hearings had been completed, and the judge had begun dictating the judgment. In June last year, the High Court had noted inordinate delays in the trial and ordered that it should be conducted on a daily basis for a swifter conclusion. Speaking to MiD DAY, Special Public Prosecutor Vidya Kasle said, “The transfer will undoubtedly cause serious inconvenience to us.”