The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police not to arrest a serving CRPF jawan, who is facing allegations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping, till July 3, provided he cooperates with the ongoing investigation.
Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora passed the interim order on June 23 while hearing the anticipatory bail plea of the jawan, who has been booked under Section 140(2) of the BNS (relating to kidnapping or abduction for murder or ransom) by Saket Police Station.
“The petitioner shall not be arrested till the next date of hearing, subject to the petitioner joining and fully cooperating in the investigation,” the court directed. The accused has been ordered to appear before the investigating officer on June 24 at 5 PM and as and when further summoned.
The court also directed the prosecution to file a status report two days prior to the next hearing, scheduled for July 3.
During the hearing, the jawan’s counsel argued that the alleged victim and the petitioner had been friends for over a year and a half, and that the victim had voluntarily accompanied the jawan to Kashmir on June 4. The counsel submitted that the victim had provided a written statement to the police in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir on June 7 affirming that he was not kidnapped and that no ransom demand had been made.
However, the prosecution contended that the victim later revised his statement on June 14, claiming he had indeed been kidnapped. Further, it was alleged that WhatsApp messages received by the complainant—who is the victim’s wife—showed a ransom demand. The prosecution also submitted that the jawan had been absconding from CRPF duty since June 3.
The court will further assess the matter during the next hearing, while the jawan remains under interim protection from arrest.
