Dhanbad Judge Killing: Jharkhand HC questions SIT's intensions
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The Jharkhand High Court criticised the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of Dhanbad judge Uttam Anand on Tuesday, and said that the police is "feeding questions" to get a "particular answer". The court added that this behaviour is not appreciated.
The court noted that the autopsy report says that the cause of death is "hard and blunt substance due to head injury". The police were accused of asking questions indicating if such an injury can be caused by a fall, reported The Indian Express.
The bench said that the post-mortem report has already clarified the fatal injury is caused by a hard and blunt substance. It is for the Investigating Agency to find the weapon. "Feeding a particular question to the doctor to get a particular answer is not at all appreciated," said the justice.
The court added that it has not received any satisfactory answers from the police.
The Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan asked when the police are investigating the reason for death, how and under what circumstances is such a question being asked to the doctor.
The questionnaire framed by the investigation officer Vinay Kumar asked whether the injuries in the head are possible by fall on the road surface or not?' The questionnaire was sent to Dr Kumar Shubhendu, Assistant Professor, SNMMC, Dhanbad.
The bench pointed out that the question is not necessary when the CCTV footage clarifies the entire scene of occurrence, reported The Indian Express. The CCTV footage showed that ASJ Uttam Anand (50) was knocked down by an auto-rickshaw that headed sharply towards him when he was out on his morning walk.
The police have seized the vehicle which was found to be stolen. Two people also have been arrested.
The court insisted that it is essential to unearth the "conspiracy" and catch the "mastermind" behind the attack. The bench added that "apprehending a pawn" will not serve any purpose. The justice added that time is of the essence in the investigation and delay or any flaw will affect the trial.
The court also criticised the police for not monitoring the CCTV. The footage shows that the incident occurred early in the morning and the victim was taken to the hospital at 5.30 am. But the FIR was lodged at 12.45 pm after the victim's wife filed a complaint. The court questioned the police about the delay.