A court in Kalka has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, to conduct an inquiry into the public parading of four murder accused who were made to walk barefoot with tonsured heads in the Pinjore market on June 6. The order, issued by Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Abhimanyu Rajput on July 1, also directs that information about the custodial torture be sent to the Sessions Judge, Panchkula.
Background of the Incident
The murder of Jitesh Manocha occurred on June 5. The following day, police allegedly paraded the accused—Manpreet Singh (alias Mani), Rohit Mehta (alias Vicky), Manish Kumar, and Khushdeep Singh (alias Deepi)—in the Pinjore market without shoes and with shaved heads. During a court hearing on June 8, Rohit Mehta's counsel, Deepanshu Bansal, submitted that the accused were subjected to custodial torture, including injuries, public humiliation, forcible head shaving, compelled barefoot walking, and unauthorized dissemination of photographs and videos. Bansal argued that these acts violated fundamental rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution of India.
Medical Board Findings Confirm Injuries
The court ordered the establishment of a medical board to examine the accused's injuries. The board's report revealed multiple injuries consistent with physical abuse. For Khushdeep Singh, the report noted a stitched wound on the right knee joint, a brown-to-purplish contusion on the left knee, a bluish contusion on the right knee, pain in the left foot, and a brownish-to-purplish contusion on the right side of the abdomen. Manish Kumar reported pain in the back of the neck, left knee, and left foot. Rohit Mehta had brownish-to-purplish contusions on both knee joints and on the medial side of the left heel and right foot. Manpreet Singh showed contusions on both knees, a stitched wound below the left knee, abrasions on the left heel, and pain in both feet. X-ray examinations of all four accused revealed no bone injuries.
Court's Observations on Police Conduct
In his July 1 order, SDJM Rajput stated, "The investigating agency is bound to proceed strictly in accordance with law. Custody of the accused is for lawful investigation and production before court. Extra-judicial acts of custodial violence, public humiliation/censure such as forcible shaving and parading, are unauthorized and liable to be condemned." He further emphasized that proper criminal justice involves swift apprehension of perpetrators, careful evidence collection, keeping victims informed, timely filing of final reports, and proper prosecution. The judge also noted that subjecting an accused to public condemnation through media exposure or staged photographs constitutes an extra-legal penalty.
Next Steps in the Inquiry
The Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, has been directed to either conduct a separate inquiry into the parading incident or combine it with the ongoing custodial torture investigation. The court's directive underscores the need to uphold human rights and ensure accountability for police misconduct. The case highlights concerns over custodial violence and the importance of judicial oversight in protecting constitutional rights.
