A Kalka court on Monday ordered the constitution of a medical board to examine four murder accused who were paraded with tonsured heads and injured legs in the Pinjore market. The court also directed the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, to take departmental action as per rules.
Background of the Case
The murder of trader Jitesh Manocha occurred on June 5. The following day, police paraded the accused—Manpreet Singh alias Mani, Rohit Mehta alias Vicky, Manish Kumar, and Khushdeep Singh alias Deepi—in public. Following the incident, Panchkula DCP Srishti Gupta suspended Inspector Bachchu Singh, in-charge of the Pinjore police station, and transferred other personnel posted there.
Allegations of Custodial Torture
During court proceedings on Monday, Rohit Mehta's counsel, Deepanshu Bansal, submitted that the accused were subjected to custodial torture and injuries, public parading, forcible shaving of heads, compelling to walk barefoot, humiliation, and dissemination of photographs and videos by way of a police media trial during police custody from June 6 to June 8. This, he argued, violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22 of the Constitution of India.
In response, the state's counsel, assisted by the Investigating Officer (IO), submitted that two of the accused—Khushdeep Singh and Manpreet Singh—tried to escape from police custody, during which they were nabbed but sustained some injuries. The IO also stated that some accused were involved in other cases, and there was a possibility that the incident was part of a gang war. It was mentioned that Khushdeep Singh alias Deepi is a drug addict. The IO further said all accused were legally arrested based on CCTV footage showing them brutally beating the deceased.
Court's Observations
Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravneet observed that accused Khushdeep and Manpreet were limping and had injuries on their right leg. Khushdeep admitted he was undergoing treatment for drug de-addiction. The judge noted, "The accused Manish and Rohit are complaining of swelling and injury on legs and feet and difficulty in walking. Also, it is patently visible that all accused persons are clean-shaven with bald heads, however, on June 6, they were having heads full of hair."
Directions Issued
The court ordered the Chief Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Sector-6, Panchkula, to constitute a medical board of three doctors, including a psychiatrist or psychologist, to medico-legally examine all four accused. The board must provide an opinion on the duration, age, and nature of any injuries. If additional tests or scans are required, they may be conducted with CMO permission. The medical report in a sealed cover must be filed before the court by June 10.
Additionally, the court directed CP Panchkula to ensure preservation of CCTV footage from Police Station Pinjore and CIA/Crime Branch Chandimandir from 12 noon on June 5 to 12 noon on June 8. The CP was also asked to look into the matter for necessary departmental action as per rules.
Regarding safety, the court ordered: "Since the accused are apprehending chances of further violence, the CP Panchkula, ACP Kalka, SP Ambala, and IO/SHO are directed to ensure safe transportation of the accused to the concerned jail, and no excuse of lack of personnel for security purposes would be entertained."
