The Allahabad High Court has denied the bail applications of four police officers from Uttar Pradesh, implicated in the custodial death of Krishna Kumar Yadav, also known as Pujari. The decision was made on September 30, based on the charges outlined in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet, which accused the officers of inflicting serious injuries on Yadav to extract a confession. Ultimately, it is alleged that these injuries led to his death.

Overview of the Case

The court’s ruling also referenced the Supreme Court’s directive dated March 12, 2024, which cancelled the bail previously granted to co-accused Jitendra Singh. The Supreme Court had indicated that allegations of custodial death warrant a stringent approach when considering bail applications. The gravity of the charges, particularly those associated with Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), further influenced this decision.

The four accused in this case include Jaysheel Tiwari, Ramkrit Yadav, Raj Kumar Verma, and Angad Prasad Chaudhary. According to the CBI, the officers reportedly fabricated records to portray Yadav’s death as either an accident or an assault by unidentified assailants, rather than a result of physical torture while in police custody.

The investigation was initiated following an FIR filed on February 12, 2021, at Baksha village in the Jaunpur district, which implicated eleven police personnel under various IPC sections including 302, 34, and 120-B. By September 18, 2024, the Special CBI Judge in Lucknow had formally framed charges in this ongoing case.

Treatment of Victim and Family’s Testimony

The FIR detailed that Krishna Kumar Yadav was taken from his residence around 3 am on February 11, 2021, by a team from the Special Operation Group and the local Station House Officer (SHO), along with other police personnel. Reports allege that Yadav was in distress and called out to his mother for help, expressing fear that the police intended to kill him.

After the incident, Yadav’s family was informed of his death while in police custody, prompting significant distress and outrage. The matter gained further attention when, on September 8, 2021, a division bench of the High Court mandated the investigation to be transferred to the CBI, which then proceeded to file its own FIR and chargesheet against eleven officers.

The CBI’s investigation relied heavily on findings from a medical board at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. The medical report indicated that Yadav had sustained multiple blunt-force injuries, and the cause of death was identified as shock resulting from these injuries. This medical opinion has played a crucial role in underpinning the severity of the allegations against the concerned police personnel.

Legal Proceedings and Current Status

The proceedings surrounding this custodial death case continue to unfold as the legal process advances. The recent rejection of bail adds another layer to a complex case which has drawn significant public interest. The legal ramifications for the accused officers remain serious, given the nature of the charges against them.

The case, still under investigation, highlights issues of police accountability and the treatment of individuals in custody. As legal actions progress, the involvement of the CBI signifies the seriousness with which the Indian judiciary is approaching allegations of custodial violence.

With public scrutiny and the legal battle continuing, the outcome of this case may have broader implications for policing practices in India. Authorities remain vigilant as they navigate the sensitive issues surrounding custodial rights and the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies.

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