Custodial death in Delhi: CBI tells SC two months time needed

The CBI today told the Supreme Court that the probe into the alleged custodial death of a man, who had tried to intervene to settle a quarrel between a couple here last year, was in an advanced stage and would be completed in two months.

The probe agency, which submitted a status report on the progress made in the investigation before a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy, sought more time to complete the investigation.

The incident had taken place on September 7 last year at Nand Nagri in Northeast Delhi when the victim, Shahnawaz Chaudhary, tried to intervene in a roadside fight between a couple and the police.
 

Chaudhary was picked up and taken to the police station. Later, he was rushed to a hospital where he was declared 'brought dead'.

The apex court had earlier said if a man has died in the police van, it means that he has died in police custody which needs to be investigated.

Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh had said it was not a case of custodial death and the victim was drunk and taken in a van to the police station during which he had abused the cops.

Senior standing counsel Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi government, had alleged that the Centre has played a fraud on the court by appearing on behalf of NCT Delhi.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for petitioner and the deceased's wife Rabia alias Mamta, had alleged that probe has not being done and neither has compensation been awarded.

During an earlier hearing, the apex court had asked the Delhi High Court to finalise the matter with regard to the interpretation of Article 239AA (dealing with Delhi) by July.

The High Court had on August 4 ruled that Delhi was a Union Territory and LG its administrative head. Delhi government had filed six SLPs in the apex court against the order.

The High Court had on December 3 ordered CBI probe into the custodial death saying it was "necessary to instill confidence among the general public as serious allegations are levelled against police personnel".

It had directed CBI to register a regular case in the matter on the basis of FIR already registered and said it expects all police authorities to cooperate with the agency in conducting the investigation.