High Court Asks Delhi Police To Probe Incident Alleging Murder Of 'Sewadar' In Kalkaji Temple

The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Police to conduct investigation into an incident alleging that a “sewadar” was “brutally killed” within the precincts of the Kalkaji temple in the evening of August 29. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna issued notice on a plea filed by the deceased's brother and two eye witnesses of the incident seeking transfer of the probe from Delhi Police to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and also protection of their life.The petitioners said they apprehend danger from the Delhi Police as well as the near and dear ones of the accused persons.The Court directed the Delhi Police to file its status report and listed the matter for hearing on September 19. “In the interim, the Respondents are directed to conduct the investigations, in accordance with the provisions of B.N.S.S., 2023,” the Court said. The FIR was registered for offences under Section 103(1) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at Police Station Kalkaji. It has been prayed that the statement of the two eye witnesses be recorded directly before the magistrate and at the earliest as “there have been reports of threatening of other witnesses by the police authorities.”“Considering the total failure on part of the Delhi Police to maintain the law and other situation in the temple, a prayer to restrain Delhi Police from the precincts of Shri Kalkaji Mandir and further to transfer the responsibility of ensuring law and order and safety of the individuals be given to CRPF, which is a proven professional agency,” the plea states.According to the petition, though it has been reported that the Police has arrested 8-9 individuals in the case, the conduct of the Police while dealing with the witnesses is unreasonable, suggesting towards “favouring the accused persons by making the case weaker.”It has also been alleged that the police has been completely uncooperative in the case and that even the FIR copy has not been provided to the deceased's brother.“That the incident is an eye opener not only towards the harsh realities of spoilt youth but also a proof of complete recklessness on part of the police authorities. The police authorities, it seems, are only concerned about taking benefits from the temple, from monetary to securing special ones for their near and dear ones. But when it comes to ensuring public safety, which is a task assigned to the Police under the Delhi Police Act, 1978, it strangely failed,” the plea states.The petition seeks to restrain the Delhi Police from entering the precincts of the temple and also that the responsibility of ensuring law and order and safety of the individuals be given to CRPF. A direction is also sought on the CBI to seize and secure the CCTV footage of the relevant duration when the incident took place from the CCTV installed within the temple premises.Counsel for Petitioners: Mr. Lokesh Bhardwaj, AdvocateCounsel for Respondents: Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC for the StateTitle: KAUSHAL SINGH & ORS v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ORSClick here to read order

High Court Asks Delhi Police To Probe Incident Alleging Murder Of 'Sewadar' In Kalkaji Temple

Nupur Thapliyal

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