2020 West Punjabi Bagh Murder Case: Delhi Court Grants Bail To Accused

sexual assault case

A Tis Hazari court has granted bail to the prime accused in the alleged fatal assault of a 65-year-old person in West Punjabi Bagh, nearly five years after the incident.

The accused, Sonu, had been lodged in judicial custody since September 26, 2020, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, dacoity, criminal conspiracy, and other offences under the IPC.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of September 25-26, 2020, when Jagdish, the victim, returned home after walking a stray dog and was allegedly attacked by Sonu, his friend, and others.

Jagdish’s wife and children were also injured while trying to shield him. He was first taken to Acharya Bhikshu Hospital and later shifted to RML Hospital, where he succumbed the same evening.

Appearing for Sonu, Advocate Ravi Drall contended that his client had already spent close to 5 years in custody, with the investigation complete and all major eyewitnesses — including the victim’s wife and daughter — examined. The defence further alleged that the police had failed to establish a motive and had overlooked a key lead: an earlier attack on Jagdish by one Rakesh Pradhan just hours before the fatal incident.

Sessions Judge Nipun Awasthi, in last week’s order, pointed out glaring lapses in the probe. Investigating Officers admitted they never recorded Jagdish’s statement during his hours at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital, calling the omission “imprudent, indifferent, malicious or motivated, but not reasonable.” The court also flagged the unexplained delay in recording the statement of Jagdish’s injured wife.

Considering the prolonged custody, the completion of key testimonies, and the investigative shortcomings, the court held that Sonu’s continued detention was no longer justified for the purposes of investigation or trial.