New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Thursday sought expeditious court proceedings in the Geetika Sharma suicide case, involving Haryana minister Gopal Kanda, but failed to ensure the presence of its investigating officer in the court for the purpose.
In an application to Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate D K Jangala, police said the proceedings in the matter should be expedited as it has been over three months since the case was registered.
At this, the judge sought to know the whereabouts of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), who is authorised to argue in the matter, and the Investigating Officer of the case.
The police officials present in the court, however, failed to furnish any reason for their absence.
"Application has been moved on behalf of state under section 309 CrPC (for expeditious proceedings). However, the Special Public Prosecutor for state and the IO are absent. Presence of both are necessary for expeditious disposal of the present matter. Both are absent without any reasonable ground.
"Issue notice to Director, Prosecution to ensure presence of SPP and the IO on the next date of hearing," the court said while also directing that a copy of the order be sent to Joint Commissioner of Police (North) "with direction to ensure presence of IO on the next date of hearing.
Meanwhile, Kanda was not produced before the court from jail and a report was received from the jail superintendent, jail no.1, Tihar jail. The report said the senior medical officer of the jail has observed the accused has acute gastroenteritis and is not fit to move around.
Kanda, 46, also the owner of MDLR Airline, was earlier admitted to hospital in August following complaints of high blood pressure.
Both Kanda and Chaddha have been accused of abetting the suicide of former air hostess Geetika Sharma. She was found dead on August 5 at her Ashok Vihar residence in Delhi. In her August 4 suicide note, the victim had said she was ending her life due to "harassment" by Kanda and Chaddha.
The Delhi police has chargesheeted the duo for allegedly committing offences under sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 506 (criminal intimidation), 201 (destruction of evidence), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery with intention to cheat), 469 (forgery with intention to harm reputation) and 471 (using forged documents as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code.
They have also been booked under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act that deals with hacking of computers.
PTI
