Delhi court slams police inaction in 2007 murder case, demands accountability

A Delhi court has taken serious note of alleged police negligence in a 2007 murder case, calling the inaction a “deeply disturbing state of affairs” and issuing notices to senior officials, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), for failing to register an FIR or initiate a proper investigation.

Judicial Magistrate Bharti Beniwal strongly criticised the conduct of the police, noting that even though a man aged between 30 and 35 was found dead under suspicious circumstances on July 30, 2007, officers failed to act.

“It is indeed unfortunate that a young man was found dead in clearly incriminating circumstances, yet no FIR was registered by the concerned police officials,” the court observed in its order. A post-mortem had revealed a ligature mark around the victim’s neck and a grievous injury to the back of the head — clear signs of a homicidal death.

Despite these findings, and witness statements suggesting the man was killed at Mohan Hotel near Ajmeri Gate and his body dumped in a nearby drain to conceal the crime, police allegedly took no action. The court said it was “shocking” that, even with substantial evidence — including the post-mortem, scene of crime details, and eyewitness accounts — no first information report (FIR) was filed by either the then Station House Officer (SHO) or the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Retired ACP Dinesh Kumar, who was the SHO at Kamla Market police station at the time, later claimed he discovered the inquest report while reviewing old records and sought permission from the DCP (Central) to register an FIR. However, the court found this explanation lacking.

“It is noted with grave concern that even after the FIR was registered, no steps were taken to question witnesses or suspects. It appears that the FIR itself was a mere formality,” the court stated, adding that the behaviour of the officials involved was “highly suspicious” and possibly intended to shield those responsible.

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The judge made it clear that failure to act in a case involving loss of human life would not be tolerated. The court directed the DCP (Central) to submit a list of SHOs, inspectors, and investigating officers connected with the case from the time of the incident until the FIR was finally registered.

Additionally, notice has been issued to the Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) to fix responsibility and initiate legal and departmental action against the officials involved. A compliance report has been sought within three weeks.

The case will next be heard on August 2.