Delhi court takes cognizance of chargesheet in Nido Taniam case

A court in New Delhi on Saturday took cognizance of a chargesheet filed by the CBI against seven people over the death of 19-year-old Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pritam Singh took cognizance of the chargesheet and directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to supply copies of the charges and other documents to the four adult accused.

The court fixed further hearing in the matter for May 7.

The CBI Friday filed a chargesheet and named seven people, including three minors, on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, wrongful confinement, common intention, destruction of evidence and under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for passing racist remarks against Tania.

The maximum punishment for culpable homicide is 10 years in jail.

After a detailed investigation, the CBI concluded that the seven people were involved in the assault on Tania that led to his death.

Four adults - Farman, Pawan, Sunder and Sunny Uppal - will be tried by the court while proceedings against the three juveniles will be carried out by the Juvenile Justice Board.

The autopsy report revealed that Tania died due to injuries to his head and face.

He died in a hospital on January 30, a day after being beaten up by several shopkeepers in south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar area following an argument over his appearance and clothing.

The case was transferred to the CBI from Delhi Police for further investigation after the victim's parents met Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, demanding speedy justice.

The parents alleged police negligence in the case and also demanded action against the guilty policemen.