High Court Unleashes Fury: UT Police Probe in Advocate Sword Assault Case Under Intense Scrutiny

In a dramatic turn that has cast a long shadow over police integrity, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed profound shock and skepticism regarding the UT police's investigation into a brutal sword assault on an advocate in Chandigarh. The court, led by Justice Deepak Gupta, minced no words in questioning the bizarre conclusion drawn by the police, which astonishingly sought to close the case by portraying the severely injured victim as the aggressor.

The harrowing incident, which unfolded on May 3, 2023, in Sector 38-C, Chandigarh, saw advocate Vinod Dhattarwal subjected to a vicious attack.

He sustained grievous injuries, including a serious head wound and deep cuts, allegedly at the hands of fellow advocates Amandeep Singh and Gurwinder Singh. Following the assault, an FIR was registered against the accused under various stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), and 149 (unlawful assembly).

However, what followed left the judiciary aghast.

The UT police presented a cancellation report, claiming that it was Dhattarwal who had initiated the attack on the accused, thus attempting to absolve the alleged culprits. This assertion flew in the face of glaring evidence: Dhattarwal’s critical injuries contrasted sharply with the minor scratches reportedly sustained by the accused.

Justice Gupta, during recent proceedings, forcefully questioned the police's logic.

“How can a person who has received such serious injuries be the aggressor?” the court demanded, highlighting the profound disparity in the extent of injuries. The court found it unfathomable that the victim, left with deep wounds and a significant head injury, could have been the instigator while the alleged assailants emerged virtually unscathed.

This glaring inconsistency struck at the very core of the police’s investigation, suggesting a deeply flawed, if not biased, probe.

The bench's strong remarks underscored a disturbing pattern, with the court observing that the police's actions appeared to be a deliberate attempt to 'shield the real culprits' rather than pursuing justice.

This judicial indictment points towards a potential dereliction of duty and a shocking disregard for objective investigation.

To ensure a thorough and unbiased review, the High Court has now issued a stern directive to the UT police. They are mandated to submit the entire record of the investigation, including crucial statements from eyewitnesses, detailed medical reports of all parties involved, and comprehensive forensic reports.

This directive signals a fresh, intensified scrutiny of the case, aiming to unravel the truth and hold accountable those responsible for the assault, and potentially, for undermining the investigative process.

The next hearing is scheduled for December 14, 2023, a date keenly awaited as the High Court stands firm in its resolve to ensure that justice is not just done, but seen to be done, especially when the credibility of law enforcement agencies is at stake.