Court acquits 4 in murder case, directs SSP to conduct inquiry against IO

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 14: 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Jammu Virender Singh Bhou today acquitted four in a murder case and directed the SSP to conduct inquiry regarding the conduct of Investigating Officer (IO).
Those who have been acquitted are Gurcharan Singh and Ghara Singh, sons of Lal Chand, Rakesh Kumar and Bodh Raj, sons of Mela Ram of R S Pura.
After hearing Advocates Prince Khanna, Sumit Khajuria and Manohar Anthal for the accused, 2nd Additional Sessions Judge observed, “I have no hesitation to hold that prosecution has failed to fulfil the standard of proof on the basis of evidence to bring home guilt against the accused persons and all the relevant facts leading to the occurrence have not been proved beyond reasonable shadow of doubt”.
“So, benefit of doubt goes to the accused. Challan, as such, fails and is dismissed against the accused persons, who are acquitted of the charges leveled against them. Their bail and personal bonds shall stand discharged”, the court said, adding “it is apt to point out that one of the accused Harvinder Singh has absconded and prosecution seeks to lay supplementary charge sheet against him on his arrest or surrender”.
“I am constrained to observed that evasive and lackadaisical approach adopted by the IO namely Inspector Satish Kumar, the then posted as SHO PS Arnia, in the case is un-becoming of a police officer, who in order to benefit the accused, namely, Harvinder Singh, who is serving in 71 Engineers C/O 56 Apo, has not taken any effective steps to procure his attendance till date”, the court said, adding “IO/SHO concerned, therefore, is directed to take immediate steps for procuring attendance of the absconding accused and lay charge sheet accordingly against him so that he shall be brought to justice”.
The court also directed SSP Jammu to conduct an inquiry regarding conduct of the IO in this case so as to fix his responsibility. “Prosecution shall be within its right to lay supplementary charge sheet accordingly and for that purpose prosecution may rely upon this charge sheet as well”, the court clarified.

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