HC raps cop in influencer’s accident case
Observing that it shook its conscience, the Bombay High Court rapped the investigating officer (IO), Thane police, for failing to record the supplementary statement of social media influencer Priya Singh. She was allegedly hit by the car of Ashwajit Gaikwad, a bureaucrat's son, in December 2023 in Thane.
While hearing Singh's petition seeking to book Gaikwad for attempt to murder, the HC said that it was also “startled” after going through the case diary. On April 22, the court had directed the police to record Singh’s supplementary statement. Back then, the public prosecutor had informed that the investigation was in progress and attempts were made to record her statement. Advocate Mayuri Harley, appearing for Singh, told the bench that the police has still not recorded her statement.
Coming down on IO Assistant Police Inspector Vishal Rumane, the HC said the perusal of the case diary and record of investigation shows the victim had to plead repeatedly before the cop to record her statement. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Neela Gokhale said that the case diary said that a report was to be sent to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) to file a claim for damages or compensation. The bench said, “The IO has not been appointed to file a claim for damages or compensation before the MACT.” Also, the case diary maintained by the IO is in loose sheets, which is in contravention of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Prima facie, the cop is not well conversant with the law of the land, it added.
The court has directed the joint commissioner of police, Thane, to peruse all the record of investigation as well as the case diary and thereafter file his personal affidavit.
The next hearing has been scheduled on June 27.