On 21st June 1948, a day before the hearing, Justice Atmacharan signed on an order granting judicial pardon to Badge, under the Bombay Security Measures Act 1947. Thus, all charges levied upon Badge were dropped on the condition that he turned state witness in this case. He was no longer required to sit in the dock along with the accused. However, the police decided to keep him in custody till the end of the trial to ensure that he does not change his mind and turn hostile.
