Delhi HC Upholds Life Term To Seven Policemen

Justice to law-enforcers who become law-breakers.

- Sanjeev Sirohi

In a strong and stern message to all men in uniform, who think that they can get away even after murdering any innocent person, the Delhi High Court on 6 February 2018 retained the life imprisonment that was awarded to seven Uttarakhand policemen for killing an innocent MBA student in a fake encounter in Dehradun in 2009. This open fake encounter had generated a lot of furore as the MBA student Ranbir Singh had a completely impeccable track record with no past criminal record. This had left Ranbir’s parents, his relatives and friends and all those who were acquainted with him completely flabbergasted!

To be sure, the Delhi High Court’s landmark ruling has made it clear: if you are a man in uniform and you kill someone without any valid cause then you are bound to pay the consequences. The Delhi High Court stated explicitly that , “Extrajudicial killing has no place in a system governed by the rule of law.” Absolutely right! Who can deny or dispute this?

Let me add here in the same vein that the Delhi High Court, however, set aside the conviction and life term of 10 other cops who were held guilty for conspiring to kidnap and murder the MBA student. They got the benefit of doubt.

To put things in perspective, the Delhi High Court, after taking into account all the facts and circumstances of this high-profile case concluded unambiguously that there was lack of evidence against them to sustain the charge. Besides the 17, the accused Jaspal Singh Gosain (who was the then head operator at the city control room and was sentenced to two years jail by the trial court for the offence of public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save a person from punishment) was also absolved by the Delhi High Court. His complicity thus in this fake encounter was ruled out.