MUMBAI: In partial relief to five policemen indicted for the custodial death of an accused in the Badlapur school sexual assault case, a sessions court has “kept in abeyance” findings of a magisterial inquiry questioning legitimacy of the alleged encounter.
Thane additional sessions judge D R Deshpande agreed that the magistrate’s findings appear to be “in excess of jurisdiction” and that if they take effect it may render any revision application filed by indicted cops “a futile exercise”. He asked the govt to keep the report, particularly paragraphs 81 and 82, in abeyance till the next hearing.
Para 81 questioned whether use of force was justified and said the cops were in a position where they could have better handled the situation, while para 82 said there were grounds of suspicion regarding their action if forensic reports were considered. TNN