Delhi Court Delivers Verdict in 2022 Nangloi Homicide Case
A Delhi court has delivered a significant verdict, convicting a man for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in connection with a fatal assault that occurred in the Nangloi area of west Delhi in 2022. Additional Sessions Judge Priya Mahendra found the accused guilty under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code for the death of Mithun, a decision that underscores the court's reliance on digital evidence and witness testimony.
Brutal Assault Captured on CCTV During Holi Celebrations
The case dates back to March 2022, during the Holi festival, when the accused, reportedly in an intoxicated state, engaged in an altercation with Mithun near Rajdhani Park. The court emphasized that the assault was carried out with a "clear intent to cause fatal injuries", as evidenced by CCTV footage that captured the incident in detail. The footage revealed that the accused repeatedly assaulted Mithun with fists and legs, continuing the attack even after public intervention and despite the victim being motionless.
Judge Mahendra observed in the judgment, "He is continuing the assault and brutally beating the injured with legs and fists despite the injured being totally motionless." The court further noted that the accused returned to the scene "without any provocation" and "beaten the accused mercilessly on his entire body including head besides giving him leg and fist blows with acute force." This relentless violence established the intensity of the attack, which the court said was pivotal in determining guilt.
Medical Evidence and Aftermath of the Incident
Following the assault, Mithun was found lying injured on the street by his cousin, who arrived after receiving a call from an unknown person using Mithun's phone. He was rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries four days later. The post-mortem report attributed his death to "craniocerebral damage as a result of blunt force," corroborating the severity of the assault depicted in the CCTV footage.
Witness Testimony and Legal Arguments
The prosecution presented two eyewitnesses, Sagar and Maikal Raj, who successfully identified the accused. The defense attempted to challenge the credibility of these witnesses, citing an eight-day delay in recording Sagar's statement and minor inconsistencies in their accounts. However, the court rejected these contentions, stating that "mere slip made by the witness in giving residential address is not a reason enough to doubt his credibility and veracity."
Additionally, the defense questioned the reliability of a prime witness who turned hostile. The court, however, held that his testimony was not "completely effaced from record" because his presence at the scene was confirmed through the CCTV footage, which reportedly showed him attempting to save the injured. The court concluded that his statement, when read alongside the footage, "proves the incident in question beyond reasonable doubt."
Court's Rationale and Legal Implications
In its judgment, the court highlighted that the conviction under Section 304 of the IPC—for culpable homicide not amounting to murder—was appropriate given the circumstances. The decision was primarily based on the CCTV evidence, which clearly established the accused's intent and the brutal nature of the assault. The court dismissed attempts to discredit the witnesses, emphasizing the overall consistency of the evidence presented.
This case serves as a reminder of the critical role that digital evidence, such as CCTV footage, plays in modern legal proceedings, especially in violent crimes where intent and actions must be precisely documented. The verdict also reinforces the judiciary's commitment to upholding justice through thorough examination of all available evidence, even in the face of witness challenges and delays.
