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Custodial Death Case: HC Revives Murder Charge Against 8 Cops
8 Apr
Summary
- Bombay HC upheld a trial court order for murder charges against eight police officers.
- The case involves the 2014 death of Agnello Valdaris from alleged torture in custody.
- HC stated Agnello died in circumstances other than normal while in police custody.
The Bombay High Court has upheld a lower court's 2022 order directing a murder charge against eight police officers. This action is in connection with the death of 25-year-old Agnello Valdaris, who allegedly died from torture while in the custody of Wadala railway police 12 years ago. The court noted that direct evidence of police complicity in such cases is rare, emphasizing the duty to seek justice for the deceased.
The judges stated that Agnello died in circumstances other than normal while in police custody. The eight officers had challenged the trial court's decision to try them for murder, arguing over whether Agnello's death was homicidal or accidental. Police claimed Agnello died after being hit by a train while escaping, but his father's counsel contended he was illegally detained and tortured.
The High Court found that the trial court was correct in invoking a murder charge. Despite previous conflicting single-judge bench rulings, the High Court concluded there was no justifiable reason for the police's actions on April 18, 2014. The post-mortem report indicated multiple injuries, some several days old, leading the court to believe a strong suspicion against the officers warranted framing murder charges.
