Seized Car Used in Fatal Raid, High Court Orders Fresh Inquiry

The Allahabad High Court has ordered the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to initiate a fresh inquiry into an incident involving Ramghat police personnel. This inquiry concerns the alleged removal of a seized vehicle, which contained 19 cartons of country liquor, from the police station.

The vehicle was reportedly taken out for a "raid" and subsequently involved in a fatal accident in Mathura in 2021. This accident resulted in the death of a woman and injuries to her husband. The court directed that the inquiry be completed within eight weeks and a compliance report submitted.

The bench specifically instructed the inquiry to scrutinize how the seized vehicle was removed from the station, the roles of the head clerk, two constables, and the then-SHO, the accident circumstances, the role of the then-SSP, and the adequacy of prior departmental proceedings.

Questions were raised about whether offenses like theft or criminal misappropriation were prima facie disclosed and why criminal action was not pursued. The inquiry will also examine the vehicle's current whereabouts and legal status, including its status in the Mathura case. The court emphasized the need for an officer unconnected with Bulandshahr police to conduct this probe.

A case under the new penal code sections for criminal breach of trust by a public servant and voluntarily causing hurt to extort confession was registered against three officers in May 2023. However, the court noted that previous departmental censure entries for involved officers might be inadequate given the potential for criminal liability.

The article states that the seized vehicle, initially recovered with 19 cartons of liquor on April 16, 2021, was taken out on June 4, 2021. The accident occurred on June 7, 2021, leading to an FIR in Mathura for offenses including causing death by negligence.