Police asked to conduct fair probe into 23-year-old man's murder
What's the story
A Delhi court has directed the police to conduct a fair probe into the murder of a man allegedly by his close female friend after his mother complained of laxity in the investigation. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumedh Kumar Sethi gave the direction on an application by Anu Duggal, alleging that police were repeatedly trying to show the case as suicide and not taking action.
Allegations
Man's mother alleged that her son was strangled to death
On the last hearing date, the court directed lodging of FIR in the case against Megha Tiwari and her father RK Tiwari and had pulled up the police for deliberately attempting to portray it as a case of suicide. Duggal had lodged the complaint alleging that her 23-year-old son Arnav was strangled to death by Megha at her residence on June 13, 2017.
Investigation
Investigating Officer should examine all persons: Court
The court said, "Needless to say that it is expected from the investigating officer (IO) that he shall examine all persons whose version is pertinent to the case and collect all material that is relevant." "It also goes without saying that investigation has to be conducted in a fair and impartial manner without any pre-conceived notions," the court added.
Discrepancy
Court rejected the father-daughter duo's version about Arnav's death
The court rejected the version of the accused father and daughter that Arnav took his life by hanging from a ceiling fan. It said, "It has already been pointed out on the last hearing date that there's some discrepancy in the version given by RK Tiwari regarding the fan in question vis-a-vis the forensic team's version and what is apparent from the fan's photographs."
Action
Court can only supervise the investigation
The court said it can only supervise the investigation and not step into the IO's shoes. "The arrest or otherwise of the suspect is the prerogative of the IO. In the status report, it has already been mentioned that look out circular has already been issued against the accused woman. He assures similar action will be taken against other accused if required," it said.
Quote
Clarification from the DCP Crime Branch on the status report
The court also sought clarification from the DCP Crime Branch on the status report submitted before it saying, it does not show if the inquiry has been assigned to him by the Commissioner of Police, Delhi and posted the matter for hearing on April 28.
Probe
Court slammed Delhi Police's shoddy probe into Arnav's murder
The court had earlier slammed the Delhi Police for its shoddy probe into the mysterious death of Arnav, who was a manager at the high-end ITC Grand Bharat. The court also directed to register an FIR to probe his "tragic death" saying the case required thorough investigation to unearth the "blatant attempt" of the police to give it the color of suicide.
Police officials
Court ordered inquiry into lapses on part of police officials
The court has also ordered an inquiry into the alleged lapses on the part of the police officials involved in the case and directed that strict action be taken if a deliberate attempt to scuttle the probe was found. It had also transferred the probe from Inspector Sunil Jain, the investigating officer, saying it be given "to some other responsible and senior officer".
Information
Arnav's mother's plea seeking FIR
Arnav's mother, in her plea seeking FIR into the matter, alleged various contradictions and discrepancies in the investigation by the police and that it was hand-in-glove with the accused.
Details
Court accepted the contention of the complainant
The city court had also accepted the contention of the complainant and said the ligature marks found on the backside of victim's neck hinted at strangulation and not hanging. It had also noted that the accused woman had said she had ended her relationship with the victim but she had stayed with him a night before the incident.