Court irked over failure of police to keep track of witnesses

A Delhi court today expressed its displeasure over the failure of police officers to keep track of witnesses in a criminal case, affecting the trial and leading to frequent adjournments.

A Delhi court today expressed its displeasure over the failure of police officers to keep track of witnesses in a criminal case, affecting the trial and leading to frequent adjournments.

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Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma also pointed out that a notice sent to the deputy commissioner of police (north) for taking action against the investigating officers in January had not been replied back to the court.

"It is really surprising that in a murder trial enough care was not taken to have all the details of the witnesses, including the addresses and the native places," the court remarked.

It noted that even bailable warrants to the sum of Rs 2,500 issued against some prosecution witnesses through DCP (north) did not have the desired effect and even the police officials had failed to reply to those notices.

The court also pointed out that investigating officers had failed to produce three witnesses, who were mentioned as eye-witnesses, in a murder case registered with Burari police station in January last year despite being given several opportunities.

The court issued fresh bailable warrants against the witnesses, which were directed to be served through deputy commissioner of police (legal cell) and posted the matter for May 17.