Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has expressed strong discontent over the investigation and state’s evidence in a 2009 custodial death case in Mainpuri district, warning that it may order a CBI probe if vital evidence like video recording and photographs was not submitted.Hearing a PIL filed by the Association for Advocacy and Legal Initiatives, a division bench comprising Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Siddharth Nandan noted that crucial facts, including video and photo evidence of the incident, are missing. While fixing May 5 as the next date of hearing, the high court observed, “If the videography and photographs relevant in this case are not placed before this court on the next date of hearing, the only other option left before us is to take assistance of the CBI to recover vital evidence.”In its order dated Apr 7, the HC noted that the chain of evidence is unclear, casting doubt on the fairness of the investigation.The court has directed former Mainpuri SDM Karmendra Singh to file an affidavit regarding the missing video recording of the custodial death case, warning of action if he fails to comply. The HC has ordered the former Mainpuri SP to file an affidavit detailing what transpired at Dannahar police station in the district.
