MLA Jasrotia to vacate Parihar house today; Makhan Singh gets interim bail

TNN Bureau. Updated: 4/28/2017 1:32:19 AM Front Page

Crime Branch takes over ‘poisoning’ case


JAMMU: A City Judge today recorded witness statement of MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia under Section 364 who has accused Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua Pawan Parihar of conspiring to poison him through former's servant.
In a related development, a City Court has granted bail to Makhan Singh, the domestic servant at the Jasrotia household who was initially accused by the MLA of mixing poisonous substance in his drinking water. Even as Makhan's bail was opposed by the prosecution but the Court not only granted bail but also criticized the Police for negligence in handling the case.
Meanwhile, after stepping in of the ruling BJP in support of MLA's allegations against a serving senior Police officer, the Crime Branch has taken over investigation in the case. Since the Police didn't take MLA's allegations against the SSP seriously, the BJP General Secretary Narinder Singh had on Tuesday addressed a press conference accusing the Police of shielding the culprit. Singh didn't name the SSP who the MLA has been publically naming or a senior BJP leader about whom the MLA has been dropping hints.
In wake of BJP's pressure ahead of Jammu visit of party president Amit Shah, Director General of Police SP Vaid referred the investigation to Crime Branch. Inspector General of Crime Branch Alok Puri confirmed to The News Now that his organization has taken over the case and investigation has been set into motion.
In another development, MLA Jasrotia is tomorrow vacating the house owned by SSP Pawan Parihar after he made request to the Speaker and Secretary Legislative Assembly. As already reported Jasrotia lives in Jammu in a house which is owned by SSP Parihar and has been taken on rent by the Estates Department. Jasrotia had also made a request to the Estates department and the Police for videography while vacating the house. On directions of IGP Jammu SDS Jamwal the Police have arranged videography for tomorrow at 11AM.
Earlier in the day, second Additional Munsiff Jammu Madhu Sharma after hearing Advocates Aman Mahajan and Azhar Usman Khan granted interim bail to Makhan Lal who was arrested in this case.
While granting bail, Second Additional Munsiff Jammu Madhu Sharma observed that the report submitted by the police concerned reveals that the accused has been arrested since April 4, 2017 in a case FIR No. 49/2017 under section 328/ RPC. The facts of the case in brief are that the complainant on 15-04-2017 loaded a written report at P/s Channi Himmat alleging therein that the accused has mixed some poisonous substance into the water bottle and offered the same to complainant for drinking purposes. As a consequence MLA became unconscious and shifted Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu for treatment.
Prosecution opposed the application on the ground that offence committed by the accused is heinous and non bail-able in nature and investigation of the case is at preliminary stage and there is every apprehension that the accused will hamper the investigation, tamper with the prosecution evidence. The FSL report is yet to be obtained as such in case the accused is admitted on bail it will cause prejudice to the investigating agency and prayed for dismissal of the application.
Court after perusal of the CD file reveals the accused is in police custody since 17-04-2017 but as per the police report he was taken into custody in the evening of 18-04-2017 which is contradictory to the contents of CD file which shows grave negligence on the part of investigation officer in performing their duties and submitting reports in the court in such a casual manner. SSP concerned is required to take strict action against such investigation officers who are performing their duties in such a negligent manner.


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