“All the accused persons were informed that they can seek legal aid in the case, if they have not engaged any counsel. Accused Pawan and Vinay have refused to take service of the legal aid counsel and have submitted that they want to become witnesses on behalf of the state,” the magistrate said in the order dictated in the open court room after the accused were sent back to jail.

The court also said, “Accused Ram and Mukesh have not engaged counsel so they want legal aid. They be provided the legal aid counsel.

“Let all the four accused persons be produced before the court concerned on January 7.”