Delhi Court Highlights Serious Issues in 2007 Murder Case Investigation
A Delhi court has recently issued a notice to a DCP rank police official, shedding light on what it described as a “deeply disturbing state of affairs” concerning the investigation of a murder case from 2007.
Concerns Raised by a Judicial Magistrate
In a significant development, Judicial Magistrate Bharti Beniwal expressed strong dissatisfaction with the handling of the case, emphasizing that negligence in a matter involving loss of life should not be overlooked.
The court recounted the unfortunate incident where a young man, aged around 30-35 years, was discovered deceased on July 30, 2007, in suspicious circumstances. Despite clear indicators of foul play in the post mortem report, such as a ligature mark around the neck and a severe head injury, the local police failed to register an FIR or launch an investigation.
Revealing Witness Testimonies
During the proceedings, statements from four witnesses revealed that the victim worked at Mohan Hotel in Ajmeri Gate and was allegedly murdered on the hotel premises. Shockingly, the body was later moved to a nearby drain in an attempt to conceal the crime. Despite having essential evidence like witness statements and post mortem findings, the concerned police officials did not take necessary action.
The court strongly condemned the lack of response from the then police officials, particularly the SHO and ACP, despite having substantial grounds to initiate legal proceedings.
Call for Accountability
The court further criticized the behavior of the police officials, terming it as highly suspicious and indicative of intentional negligence or an effort to protect the guilty parties. With a firm stance against dereliction of duty in cases involving loss of life, the court instructed the DCP of the central district to submit a detailed report listing the responsible officers.
Additionally, a notice was sent to the Joint Commissioner of Police, central range, to oversee the matter, ascertain accountability, and take necessary disciplinary and legal measures against the negligent police officers.
Upcoming Steps
The court directed the police to file a compliance report within three weeks and conduct a thorough investigation to explore the possible involvement or collusion of the former police officials from the concerned police station.
The case is scheduled for further proceedings on August 2.
