Crime branch to probe death of girl killed by wedding revellers

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday transferred to the crime branch, investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl hit by a stray bullet from celebratory

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday transferred to the crime branch, investigation into the death of a 17-year-old girl hit by a stray bullet from celebratory firing at a wedding procession in Mangolpuri area earlier this year.

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Justice Vipin Sanghi transferred the case after the girl’s father’s said the investigation was carried out on the basis of a “manufactured complaint.” The court made it clear that the order does not reflect on the integrity of the Delhi Police officers who investigated the case.

In April, Anjali Kausal was hit by a bullet in the head during celebratory firing at a marriage procession passing her house. Four days later, she died as a result of her injuries.

Anjali, who had only just appeared for her class XII exams, was watching the procession along with her two younger sisters, from their balcony.

Her sisters raised an alarm when they saw Anjali collapse. Her father, who owns a tea shop near the house, was immediately informed.

Shyam Sunder Kausal, father of the deceased, later moved the HC through advocate Akash Vajpai, seeking to transfer the case to the crime branch, alleging that the police investigated the case based on a “false FIR”.

Claiming he had reasons to doubt the credibility of the investigation, Vajpai said when his client was in hospital with his unconscious daughter, police officers made him sign two blank sheets of paper.

The complaint was then written and an FIR registered, he added. The FIR said Kaushal was present on the balcony when the incident took place.

Kaushal, however, said he was in his tea stall when it happened.

Advocate Vajpai said the FIR named one Vikrant alias Vicky as an accused, when his client had not named anyone.