'To Maintain Faith In System & Ensure Transparency': Punjab & Haryana HC Orders DGP Chandigarh To Form SIT To Probe Lawyer's Alleged Murder

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Chandigarh's Director General of Police (DGP) to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe an alleged murder case wherein a practicing lawyer is stated to have succumbed to injuries after being assaulted by fellow lawyers in the District Court Complex.Justice Kuldeep Tiwari in his order said: "Although this Court is not taking cognizance of the allegations enclosed in the instant writ petition with regard to the investigation/investigating officer, however, purely with an intent to maintain the faith of the parties in the system and to ensure transparency in the investigation, this Court, with the concurrence of all the parties, deems it appropriate to direct the Director General of Police, Chandigarh, to constitute a Special Investigation Team."The Court directed the DGP to constitute the SIT which is to be headed by an IPS officer, for conducting investigation in respect of all the three FIRs lodged with respect to the alleged incident.The functioning of the Special Investigation Team shall be monitored directly by the DGP Chandigarh, the court added."It is expected that the Special Investigation Team would expeditiously conclude the investigation, preferably within four months...," the judge ordered.The petition claimed hat Neeraj Hans, a practicing advocate and a member of the District Bar Association Chandigarh, was brutally murdered by fellow lawyers along with his accomplices in October, 2024.It was claimed that Hans was assaulted while he was trying to protect his colleague, against whom the accused persons had allegedly passed casteist remarks and outraged her modesty.When Hans interrupted, the three accused persons, who were also lawyers practicing in the same court, became infuriated and started assaulting him, the plea claims. Later, in the hospital, Hans succumbed to his injuries, the plea added.Advocate Gaurav Datta appearing for the petitioner–the brother of the deceased, contended that after registration of FIR in October 2024, the concerned Police Station and the police officials did not take any action against the accused persons.It was also submitted that the petitioner submitted a representation and sought help to take appropriate action in the FIR, either by having the matter looked into by the senior-most police officer or by referring the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation, as one of the accused, is a close relative of a top police official in UT Chandigarh. However, no action was taken. After considering the plea, the Court without taking cognizance of the allegations, directed the DGP Chandigarh to constitute SIT.Consequently, the plea was disposed of.Title: HARDEEP HANS v. THE STATE OF UT CHANDIGARH AND OTHERSCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (PH) 130Click here to read/download the order

'To Maintain Faith In System & Ensure Transparency': Punjab & Haryana HC Orders DGP Chandigarh To Form SIT To Probe Lawyer's Alleged Murder

Aiman J. Chishti

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