The Uttarakhand High Court has taken serious note of contradictory findings filed by two investigating officers in the same murder case, summoning the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and the concerned Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for an explanation.
Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, while hearing a bail plea on Thursday, expressed concern over how one officer filed a charge sheet implicating the accused, while another submitted a final report exonerating him — despite both FIRs originating from the same violent incident.
The case stems from a clash between two parties over a land dispute in the Manglaur police station area of Haridwar district, which resulted in one death and injuries to seven individuals.
During the hearing, both investigating officers appeared before the court via video conferencing. After reviewing a video clip presented by the state government, the court observed that both FIRs warranted charge sheets. However, while one FIR did lead to a charge sheet, the other resulted in a final report that let the accused off the hook.
The court criticized the decision to appoint separate officers for a single criminal episode, noting that it led to contradictory conclusions and compromised the integrity of the investigation. “Had the case been handled by a single officer, an accurate and coherent report could have been expected,” the judge remarked.
Calling the discrepancies a clear indicator of “improper investigation,” the court ordered the DGP and SSP to appear in person, signaling possible disciplinary scrutiny for the officers involved.
The matter will next be heard on a date to be fixed, with the court expected to further examine the procedural lapses and investigate potential misconduct in the handling of the case.
