Do your homework before coming to court, ACP told

ACP Singh was standing in for DCP (Crime) Karnal Singh to submit a progress report in compliance with the court’s last order passed on January 14. After the submission made by PUCL counsel V.K. Ohri, CMM Gauba asked Singh about the status on seizure of expired drugs and devices from the hospital. According to Ohri, investigating officer Ramesh Chander had taken steps to seal “certain” stores housing expired drugs. Action was, however, not taken with respect to expired drugs and devices lying in various wards, he alleged. The ACP orally submitted that adequate steps had been taken. After perusal of the case diary, Gauba observed that no such steps had been mentioned.

Singh admitted that no formal steps had been taken so far.The CMM said: “It was not proper to make wrong submissions in the court on the part of the ACP. He should first do his homework and then make statements, lest an adverse inference be taken against bonafides of the investigation.” The court directed the ACP to submit the next progress report by February 23. The ACP forwarded a letter addressed to Deputy Secretary (Home) to the court that sought assistance of a medical board. The CMM observed: “While the necessity of such assistance from medical experts cannot be doubted, given the lack of response by the government, the police could have made an alternative arrangement".