High court defers Mohan Galot’s plea taking to Friday 9th

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High court has deferred plea taking of Galot Industries Chairperson Mohan Galot to Friday 9th March.
While addressing the criminal court where the chairperson was to plead today, his lawyer Kiraithe Wandugi said Justice Joseph Odunga had stayed the intended criminal proceedings against his client.
Wandugi asked the court to have the matter mentioned in a few weeks time pending the determination on the judicial review.
The complainant in the criminal case who is Galot’s nephew Rajesh Galot moved to the High Court yesterday seeking to be joined in the proceedings as an interested party.
However, the defense team told Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi that the High Court never stayed the proceedings, rather it deferred the plea to Friday when the matter will be canvassed.
The court also heard that Wandugi was the one who advised his client not to appear before court today without order since his plea taking had been deferred.
The complainants did not however have a problem with the matter being mentioned in two weeks time as they await the judicial review by Odunga.
In response, Galot’s lawyer said his client’s absence was in disrespect to the court. He thought it would not be necessary since the plea had been deferred.
The Chief Magistrate said it was not proper for the accused not to be present since there was no order from his court nor the High Court staying the proceedings.
“I could have issued warrant of arrest if the prosecution sought for one but I decline to issue the same with a caution,” said Andayi.
The magistrate said the accused should appear before court unless he has an express order not to do so.
The parties will appear before judge Odunga on Friday for the hearing of the application.
The matter will be mentioned on 20th March before the criminal court.
Mohan Galot, who is also the owner of London Distillers among other companies was previously charged alongside his wife Santosh Galot with fraud but the charges were dropped.
Now the face another similar charge and the prosecution intends to further charge Mohan with other offenses, which they, (defense) seek stay of.
In response, Galot sought a private prosecution of his nephews Pravin Galot and Rajesh Galot for false accusations.
 
The Galots have been fighting over the control of the family’s multi-billion  business for years now.