The additional district and sessions judge, Ajit Bharihoke, ordered the framing of charges after Rao attended the court on summons for the first time in this case.
The court order was taken by the court steno to Rao, who was sitting in the right corner of the third row, surrounded by seven personnel of the Special Protection Group (SPG).
Rao, after reading the order, pleaded not guilty and challenged to contest the trial.
Prior to this, Chandraswami and Mamaji were called to the witness box to sign the framing of the charge order against them.