New Delhi: As per the latest development in the Uber rape case, the accused – Shiv Kumar Yadav – on Monday moved an application before the trial court seeking to recall all the prosecution witnesses for cross-examination on the grounds that he did not get a fair chance to defend himself.

Reportedly, there had been a change of defense counsel and the new counsel DK Mishra, blaming the previous counsel for not doing his job properly, has demanded for recall of witnesses.

As stated by Times of India, Mishra has also alleged that the forensic records were manipulated by police and said he needed clarifications from the prosecution witnesses in this regard.

The prosecution counsel, Atul Shrivastava, in turn, strongly opposed the plea saying that change of counsel was no ground to re-call witnesses and argued that this was a tactic used by the accused to delay the trial.

In his plea, Yadav has alleged that there were “glaring defects, mistakes and illegalities” that require all the witnesses - including the survivor, her friend who booked the cab and the investigating officer—to be cross-examined again in order to reach a fair decision.

Additional sessions judge Kaveri Baweja has reserved the order on the plea till February 18.

Reportedly, the court was to hear final arguments in the case from Monday however, in case of fresh application from the accused, the judgment could not be made.

Shiv Kumar Yadav (32) is facing trial for allegedly raping a woman executive in his cab on the night of December 5, 2014. The cab belonged to an online cab booking service – Uber.