Dr. Sunil Narula v. State & ANR

$~1 *

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ W.P.(CRL) 1618/2019 DR. SUNIL NARULA ..... Petitioner Through Mr. Madhukar Bansiwal, S. K.

Bhaduri and Mr. Prem Prakash, Advocates.

versus STATE & ANR ..... Respondents Through Mr. Avi Singh, ASC with Ms.

Purnima Malik, Adv. for State.

Inspector Mahesh Pandey, AHTU/Crime Branch.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIBHU BAKHRU

O R D E R

% 29.01.2020 1.

The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying that directions be issued to the respondents to conduct a thorough and proper investigation within a short span of time pursuant to the FIR bearing No. 0131/2018 under Section 365 of the IPC registered with Police Station Tilak Marg. The petitioner also prays that directions be issued to the respondent to constitute a Special Team for conducting a proper investigation in the matter.

2.

The said FIR was filed by the petitioner reporting that his wife was missing. He stated that his wife had gone out from her home for an evening walk on 30.09.2018 but had not returned back. The petitioner's wife at the

material time was employed with the All India Radio. The petitioner also reported that there were some property disputes between his wife and her brother (the petitioner's brother-in-law). He had filed a Probate Petition propounding an alleged Will of their mother which the petitioner's wife was contesting.

The petitioner's wife superannuated from her services on 31.01.2019.

The petitioner states that he had also circulated pamphlets regarding her going missing on that occasion. 3.

A status report dated 08.07.2019 was filed on behalf of the respondents indicating various steps taken by them after 01.10.2018 (the date on which the missing report was filed with Police Station Tilak Marg). A perusal of the said status report indicates that the notices had also been published in various National Dailies to ascertain the whereabouts of the petitioner's wife.

The call details record was also examined.

Further, enquiries were made from the brother-in-law of the petitioner. This Court is informed that he was also subjected to a Lie Detector Test. 4.

During the course of the investigation, a reward was announced to a person who provides clue/information about the petitioner's wife. Posters regarding her going missing were also placed at various places. 5.

Mr. Avi Singh, the learned Additional Standing Counsel, has handed over a copy of a status report dated 24.09.2019, which also indicates other steps taken by the Investigating Agency.

6.

In view of the above, this Court is unable to accept that the investigation being conducted by the Investigating Authorities is wanting in any respect. This Court is informed that the investigation now stands transferred to Anti Human Trafficking Unit and the matter is being

investigated by the said Unit. Mr. Singh states that largely the said Unit would also conduct the said same exercise as conducted earlier. 7.

In view of the above, this Court is of the view that no further orders are required to be passed in the present petition. The same is disposed of. 8.

Order be given dasti under the signatures of the Court Master. VIBHU BAKHRU, J JANUARY 29, 2020 DR