A Kalka court on Monday ordered a medical examination by a special board and directed the preservation of CCTV footage following allegations of custodial torture, public parading, and humiliation raised by four accused in the Pinjore murder case.
Court Orders and Judicial Custody
Judicial Magistrate First Class Ravneet passed the directions while sending the accused — Khushdeep Singh alias Dipi, Manpreet Singh alias Mani, Manish Kumar, and Rohit Mehta — to judicial custody. The court also asked the Panchkula Police Commissioner to preserve CCTV footage from June 5 to June 8 at key locations, including Pinjore police station and CIA Chandimandir, and sought a reply from the investigating agency by June 10.
Allegations of Torture
The allegations were raised in an application filed by accused Rohit Mehta through his counsel, claiming that during police custody, the accused were subjected to torture, forcibly tonsured, paraded in public, and their images circulated on social media. The defendants argued that these actions violated their fundamental rights and demanded a thorough investigation.
Prosecution's Response
The prosecution, however, told the court that two accused were injured while allegedly attempting to flee custody, leading to a separate FIR. Police also said the arrests were based on CCTV evidence and indicated possible gang rivalry. They maintained that the injuries were sustained during the escape attempt and not due to custodial violence.
Medical Board Formation
The court declined any immediate relief but ordered the formation of a three-member medical board, including a mental health expert, to conduct a comprehensive examination of the accused. The board is required to submit a sealed report to the court, ensuring confidentiality and impartial assessment.
This case has drawn attention to custodial rights and police accountability in the region.
