The Delhi Police on Saturday sought seven more days of police custody remand of Sushil Kumar in the case.
In a murder case being investigated by the Delhi Police, a Delhi Court on Saturday ordered Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar to be held in police custody for four more days.
After Kumar was produced before him on the expiration of a 6-day police custody remand period, Metropolian Magistrate Mayank Goel issued the order. The Court stated that it was allowing further police remand of Sushil Kumar, as well as co-accused Ajay Kumar Sehrawat, in the interest of justice.
The Court observed, "No one is above law and law treats everyone equally. Though constitution guarantees the right to life and liberty to all persons whether they are accused or not but that right is also subject to certain exceptions. Moreover, the importance of initial days of investigation to unearth the truth also has to be seen. The court is duty bound to strike a balance between the fairness of investigation and the rights of the accused."
The Court emphasised that the charges were grave and serious, and that the crime was committed by "certain notorious gangs" who had yet to be apprehended. The Court also stated that significant recoveries, such as the accused persons' cellphones and clothing, had yet to be made. Kumar was remanded in police detention for seven more days by the Delhi Police on Saturday.
According to the prosecution, Sushil Kumar and the other defendants kidnapped Sonu and beat him cruelly at Chhatarsal Stadium. Additional Public Prosecutor Ashish Kajal stated that keeping Sushil Kumar in custody would be necessary to recover additional incriminating evidence, track down the remaining defendants, and reveal the truth.
"Sushil Kumar is the master mind and main culprit of the heinous crime in which a young wrestler died..(as was) evident from the video clip siezed from one of the accused and statement of eye witness," he said.
The court was informed that eight persons have been arrested so far in the matter, and Sushil Kumar has one licenced handgun. Sushil Kumar, according to Kajal, has not cooperated with officers in the last six days.
The motion for a seven-day police remand was contested by Sushil Kumar's lawyer, barrister Pradeep Rana, who stated that after six days, no more indulgence should be given to the police.
"As per them, they want to confront Sushil with other accused. Co accused here arrested on 26th. He was in custody of police. Who stopped them to confront then. They can confront in judicial custody. Why they failed to confront if when all were in police custody," he questioned.
Rana contended that no ground for further police custody was made out from the application. "It (police custody) should not be misused or given on mere asking. Not even a single ground is given..At this stage, in these circumstances, no ground for further extension is made out.. they are asking for complete 14 days. But they failed to give any reasonable ground. I'm not objecting to fair investigation and cooperation," he said.
Earlier this month, a Delhi Court had refused to grant anticipatory bail to Kumar in the murder case.The trial court had held that it was not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to Kumar at this stage in view of the statement of the eyewitnesses and the status of the investigation.