The Delhi High Court has harshly criticized the Delhi Police for wrongfully charging a father and grandmother in connection with the death of a 2-year-old girl. Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Neena Bansal Krishna pointed out that the police had no solid evidence against the accused, who were wrongfully put on trial.
On February 19, 2014, the young girl died at home while in the care of her grandmother. The child’s parents were divorced, and custody was with the father. After the child’s death, her maternal grandfather suspected that the paternal grandparents were responsible. A post-mortem revealed 24 injuries on the child, and the cause of death was attributed to starvation and shock from a head injury.
The trial court acquitted the father and grandmother of murder charges but sentenced them to six months in prison under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000. The Delhi Police then appealed, arguing for a murder conviction.
The High Court noted that the father was not home at the time of the incident and found no evidence suggesting deliberate neglect. The court also referenced a doctor’s statement that the child’s scratch marks could have been due to eczema and dry skin.
The court criticized the police for allegedly planting evidence and noted that the grandmother had taken the child to the hospital after the injury. Concluding that there was no evidence of guilt, the High Court acquitted the accused of all charges under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
The court also warned the prosecution against filing appeals without substantial evidence, stating that such cases waste public resources and court time.
Case Title: State v Usha Devi & Anr.
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