New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) A Delhi court has issued bailable warrants against an investigating officer (IO) for repeatedly skipping hearings in an anticipatory bail case, and also asked the joint commissioner of police to consider disciplinary action against him as well as the SHO concerned.
Additional Sessions Judge Sachin Mittal was hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed in a case and issued bailable warrants against the investigating officer, Sub-inspector Sandeep at Aman Vihar police station, after he failed to appear before the court on three consecutive dates, delaying the hearing.
In an order dated July 1, the court said, “Let BWs (bailable warrants) in the sum of Rs 10,000, with two sureties in the like amount be issued against the IO, namely, SI Sandeep, PS Aman Vihar, to be executed through the office of DCP concerned, returnable for the next date of hearing”.
The court noted that notice was issued to the IO on June 23 for filing a reply. Although a reply was filed on June 25, the officer sought exemption from personal appearance citing personal exigency. The court then directed him to remain present on June 30.
When the officer again failed to appear, the court issued a notice through the SHO concerned directing his presence on July 1. However, the IO remained absent even on that date.
Expressing concern over the repeated non-appearance, the court said superior courts had “time and again” stressed the need for expeditious disposal of bail applications as they concern a person’s fundamental right to personal liberty.
“However, in the present case, the court is constrained to adjourn the matter several times on account of non-appearance of the IO. Even the SHO concerned has failed to ensure the appearance of the IO before this Court,” the judge said.
Holding that the conduct of the investigating officer had stalled the proceedings, the court issued bailable warrants of Rs 10,000 with two sureties of the like amount against SI Sandeep, to be executed through the office of the deputy commissioner of police concerned.
The court also directed that a copy of the order be forwarded to the joint commissioner of police “for his consideration to take appropriate disciplinary action, if warranted, against the IO and SHO concerned”.
It then listed the matter for July 3. PTI SKM SKM KVK KVK
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