Court order to preserve CCTV footage of police station, Civil Hospital

Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 19

The Court of Judicial Magistrate Daljit Kaur today ordered the Commissioner of Police (CP) Rakesh Aggarwal to preserve the CCTV footage of the Haibowal police station of November 13 and 14 (day and night), being an important evidence in the alleged third-degree torture of two young city lawyers Sidharth Chandi and his brother Mohit Chandi, residents of Bachan Nagar, Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana.

Similar directions have been issued to the in charge, Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, for preserving the CCTV footage of the hospital for the same dates.

“The CCTV footage is a material piece of evidence and I am satisfied that the CCTV footage concerned of the Haibowal police station needs to be preserved in the interest of justice. Similarly, the CCTV footage concerned of the hospital needs to be preserved in the interest of justice. Moreover, the possibility of the footage being tampered with cannot be ruled out,” observed the court while passing the order.

“A copy of the order be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana, to look into the matter and to ensure the strict compliance of this order immediately and to submit the compliance report by 20-11-2020. A copy of the order be also forwarded to the in charge, Civil Hospital, for compliance and report,” says the court order.

Meanwhile, the court turned down the plea of the lawyers for police protection and asked them to approach the higher officials, if need be.

Lawyer Sidharth Chandi had sought protection, fearing threats to him and his kin. He had also shown apprehension that the police officials could destroy or tamper with the CCTV footage at the police station and the hospital.

A few days ago, the Haibowal police had booked the two lawyers in a criminal case for allegedly preventing the police officials from performing their official duty and manhandling cops. They were arrested, but later released on bail.

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