Court slams cops for ‘memory loss’ in narcotics case

The Delhi police officials seem to be in urgent need of ‘memory capsules’. A city court on Wednesday acquitted an alleged drug peddler due to a ‘sheer lapse of memory’ of police officers who failed to recollect the facts of the case during a court hearing.

The Delhi police officials seem to be in urgent need of ‘memory capsules’. A city court on Wednesday acquitted an alleged drug peddler due to a ‘sheer lapse of memory’ of police officers who failed to recollect the facts of the case during a court hearing.

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The court has directed the police commissioner to take action against the erring police officials.

Additional Sessions Judge Girish Kathpalia said the policemen, who arrested the accused, hardly remembered any facts of the case seven months after the arrest.

“The policemen had the audacity to say that since it has been a long time, they forgot to mention the relevant facts,” the judge said.

Additional sub-inspector (ASI) Nassu Ahmed, ASI Rajender Singh and constable Hawa Singh had arrested Sukh Chand Sheikh who was allegedly carrying a packet of smack on January 17, 2009.

Sheikh contended in court he had been falsely implicated.

The court noted that during the trial, the public prosecutor had to step in on several occasions to correct the policemen’s statements.

“Ahmed, who testified in July 2009, suffered amnesia in his testimony, and he forgot to mention the relevant facts in chief examination,” said the judge.

The court noted that a period of less than seven months couldn’t be, by any parameters, taken to be a long time that would lead to fading of memory.

The judge said that the policemen deposing in the court became completely hostile to the prosecution case. “As a result an innocent man can be framed in such a serious case.”

As there were inconsistencies and contradictions, the court acquitted the accused and directed senior police officials to consider the matter with high importance. Sagar Preet Hooda, Deputy Commissioner of Police, North Delhi said, “As per court directions, necessary action will be taken against the erring police officials.”