HC asks cops to file fresh report in Arunachal student case

Pulling up the Delhi Police for failing to submit post-mortem report in the Arunachal Pradesh student case, the Delhi High Court today said infrastructure in the city for examining scientific evidence in criminal cases is at a "primitive" stage.

The court was reacting to the Delhi Police submission that it will require more time to submit the post-mortem report in the case.

"If you are unable to give post-mortem report in so many days in Delhi in a fast tracked case like this, what is the status of other cases. We must say the infrastructure (to examine evidence in criminal cases) is at a primitive stage in national capital," a bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice R S Endlaw said.

The bench returned the status report filed by Delhi Police in the case and directed it to file a fresh one along with post-mortem findings by February 7.

The high court had on Monday taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about the killing of Arunachal Pradesh student, Nido Tania, who was allegedly beaten by some shopkeepers here, and had asked the Centre and Delhi Police to file a report on the incident.

The probe agency's report was returned as Delhi Police' counsel Dayan Krishnan said the nature of injuries and death of victim can't be correlated till they receive post-mortem report which will take time.

He also said the toxicology and viscera of the victim has been sent to FSl, which is must faster.

However, after the bench returned the report and directed to file a fresh one by Friday, Krishnan said that he will coordinate with AIIMS to ensure the process is speeded up.

The bench had earlier also sought details of the steps taken for safety of people from North East staying in the capital.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra and advocate Sumeet Pushkarna today said the Ministry of Home Affairs will be filing a report regarding the measures taken for safety and security of people from North East who are staying in Delhi.

19-year-old Nido Tania, son of an Arunachal Pradesh MlA, was allegedly thrashed by some shopkeepers in lajpat Nagar area of south Delhi when he retaliated after they made fun of his hairstyle. He subsequently died on January 30.

The bench had said the national capital belongs to everyone and the South Delhi incident highlighted the matter of grave concern.

It had also suggested that the government should publish advertisements asking people to be tolerant.

The bench had also received complaints from several law researchers from North East in the capital regarding the harassment they have to face at public places.

Tania's relatives alleged that he was thrashed by some shopkeepers in lajpat Nagar on January 29 after he got into an altercation with them over their remarks on his hairstyle.

Police had reached the spot and brokered a compromise after which Tania returned to his Safdarjung home with his friends. However, he did not wake up the next morning.

When his friends took him to AIIMS, he was declared brought dead.

The death of the youth is being attributed to the thrashing he was subjected to by the accused.

Police have registered a case of murder under section 302 (murder) of IPC and are probing the matter. A magisterial inquiry has also been ordered.

Three persons were arrested in the case and are presently in judicial custody till February 18.