High Court directs CBI to inquire into Delhi police's conduct

New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) Taking exception to the manner in which the Delhi police is handling petty cases and pushing the innocent behind bars, Delhi High Court today directed the Central CBI to inquire into the conduct of the police in this matter.

Justice S N Dhingra directed the Delhi Government to pay a compensation of Rs 25,000 each to two people who were confined illegally in police custody, for petty offences just because the police official wanted to settle scores with them.

The incident related to one Sanjeev Kumar Singh and his friend, who were picked up by the Delhi police on February 4, 2007, at Samaypur Badali police station.

They were apprehended by the police under Section 107/151, CrPC on the charge of abusing, threatening and quarrelling with each other.

They were produced before ACP J S Vaid, who was working as Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) on February 4. The SEM sent them to Judicial Custody (JC) till February 17.

Though they were asked to furnish a surety of Rs 5000 each, the record showed that the bail bond was accepted by furnishing a surety of Rs 15000 from each.

In his petition, Sanjeev Kumar had alleged that the police officials had not only incorporated these sections to illegally detain and harass them, but have also encroached upon their fundamental right. They were friends but the police wanted to settle scores with them and booked them illegally.

Justice Dhingra observed the case showed high-handedness of the police and the SEM concerned. The petitioner was kept in illegal confinement because of the SEM's illegal action of not accepting the bail bond on the same day.

The court directed the CBI to investigate the matter and submit its report to the Metropilitan Magistrate concerned within 120 days.

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