Had the police conducted a shoddy investigation into the murder of 16-year-old Adnan Patrawala in 2007, which resulted in the acquittal of the four suspects?
Many of the former police officers feel that is the case.
“A probe by a senior officer is required to find out whether the quality of investigation in this murder case was up to the mark,” suggested YP Singh, former IPS officer-turned-lawyer.
“The media should not be blamed in this [Patrawala murder] case. Crime reporting cannot be restricted, unless crime against women or communal incidents. In case of minors, the police can’t reveal their names,” explained YP Singh, former IPS officer-turned-lawyer.
Singh added the police didn’t apply their mind in collecting forensic or physical evidence in this case.
“Lack of application of mind with respect to forensic evidence is what this case falters. In case of a vulnerable witness, they should have taken his statement before a magistrate so that he cannot turn hostile later,” said Singh.
Another former IPS officer, on condition of anonymity, said that the investigating officer should keep the leads in any probe a secret. “The police should give only broad details of any case as revealing details can lead to disappearance of evidence,” he added.
A few refused to comment on the case before reading the court order.
Rajneesh Seth, joint commissioner of police, law and order, said: “We are yet to see the judgment copy of the court. Only after reading it, it would be appropriate to comment on the case or on the investigations carried out by the police then. We will see observations made by the court in the judgment and then decide the future course of action.”
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