Delhi HC directs crime branch to probe youth's death in 4 months, DCP to supervise

New Delhi [India], May 14 : The Delhi High Court has recently directed the Delhi Police Crime Branch to probe the death of a youth within four months. The High Court has also directed the DCP (Crime Branch) to supervise the investigation.
The father of the deceased had last year approached the High Court to transfer the investigation from Delhi police to the CBI. This case pertains to the death of a youth in North Rohini in July 2022.
Justice Jyoti Singh transferred the further investigation to the crime and asked to complete it within a period of not more than 4 months under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
"It is made clear that further investigation will be conducted under the aegis and supervision of the DCP, Crime Branch. The investigation would be completed as expeditiously as possible and not later than 4 months from today," Justice Jyoti Singh said in the order passed on May 9.
The bench directed that all records concerning the investigation shall be transmitted for further investigation to the office of the DCP, crime branch, within 10 days from today, under acknowledgement.
The bench was informed by the Investigating Officer (IO) that the delay in the investigation was on account of the non-receipt of the FSL report. The High Court ordered, "Looking at the sensitivity of the matter, Director, FSL is requested to expedite the FSL report so that the investigation can be concluded at the earliest."
The High Court has listed the matter for hearing on August 21. Advocates Amit Kumar and Khushboo appeared for petitioner Krishen Kumar.
The High Court on August 4, 2023, appointed advocate Madhav Khurana an amicus curiae to assist the court in the alleged murder of petitioner Krishen Kumar's son.
Delhi police had lodged an FIR under a section related to murder. Petitioner claimed that Delhi police is not properly investigating the matter. This matter relates to an incident in July 2022 in the North Rohini area.
The petitioner sought a direction for the transfer of investigation relating to FIR of July 19, 2022 under Section 302 IPC registered at Police Station North Rohini to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or any other independent agency.
Delhi police had filed a detailed report on the petition. In August 2022, the trial court refused to transfer the case to the Delhi Police Crime Branch after considering the status report file by the Investigation Officer (IO).
The family of the deceased has acknowledged that the investigation is not being done properly. The court had said, "It does not appear from the status report that IO is not making efforts in the investigation. At this stage, the court does not find any reason to transfer the investigation of the present case to the crime branch."
Earlier, the court had directed the Delhi police to file a further status report on a plea seeking a court monitor probe. Delhi police filed a report stating that 5 people were produced in court. The consent for their polygraph test was taken.
The Delhi police had also apprised the court that on the night of the incident, the deceased Rohit had consumed liquor at a bar in a mall in Rohini. Rohit then went to the house of Amit where the alleged incident occurred.
Advocate Amit Kumar had argued that the police have not taken into consideration the WhatsApp chat, screenshot and call record of the phone of the deceased, which is with the police.
The application filed in court had submitted that Rohit was allegedly murdered on July 17, 2022, and the police lodged an FIR under Section 302 (Murder) of the IPC. His body was found in Rohini Sector 8 under a flat.