Murder or suicide: court seeks answers

A woman was allegedly murdered in cold blood inside her house. The deceased’s minor daughter even recorded a statement against her father.

A woman was allegedly murdered in cold blood inside her house. The deceased’s minor daughter even recorded a statement against her father.

HT Image

Yet, the police refused to register a murder case. Initially, investigations centred around Mahender Joshi, husband of the deceased — Manju Joshi. Shockingly, the police filed a chargesheet under section 498A (cruelty) instead of on murder charges.

A city court has now sought a detailed explanation from the concerned deputy commissioner of police (DCP). Metropolitan Magistrate Priya Mahendra said, “The DCP failed to supervise further investigations...”

Manju Joshi was found murdered in her house in Naoroji Nagar in January 2009. The court observed, “The chargesheet filed seems to be replete with contradictions and inconsistencies”.