New Delhi: A Delhi court has directed preservation of CCTV footage showing the movement, entry and exit of seven accused in the case of the alleged murder of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh, but declined to provide the footage to the defence at this stage.Singh, 54, was allegedly beaten to death for objecting to the loud music and noise at the dhaba outside his home in Kilokari village. Seven men were arrested and a 15-year-old boy apprehended in connection with the case.Duty magistrate Anam Rais Khan passed the order while hearing an application by accused Manu under section 94 of the BNSS, seeking preservation and production of CCTV footage from the building where the alleged assault took place.Manu’s counsel submitted that his client had nothing to do with the other six accused. He was allegedly working at the dhaba, and had only entered the building to see what was happening during the altercation. Manu went to the first floor, while the alleged assault took place on the third floor, the counsel said, seeking footage from all four floors.Upon oral inquiry, the SHO said recordings from the CCTV cameras installed on the ground, first, second and third floors for the intervening night of Sept 6-7, between 11.40pm and 12.20am, had already been seized and sent to the FSL.The SHO said the footage showed “movement inside and outside” the building, including the entry and exit, and that the accused persons’ movements were recorded.Police submitted that “once the investigation is completed, the role will be clear”.The court said the footage had been preserved, but declined to order its production to the defence before the chargesheet was filed.It also noted that a fair investigation remained relevant and observed that if the footage did not establish Manu’s role, it could assist his defence.All seven accused are in judicial custody and are scheduled to be produced before the court on Oct 6.
