HC notice to cops after Vikas alleges mental torture

Following an application by the police, the court had yesterday directed Vikas to produce himself before the Mehrauli police. He and his lawyers were reportedly kept there for a few hours. Apparently, the police later took him to the Lodhi Colony Police Station, where he was held in the terrorist cell. The police reportedly said his battery of lawyers could not be present with him.

And when the cops refused to pay heed to the lawyers, D.P. Yadav reportedly sent a telegram to the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. Vikas was finally released at about 4 this morning. The police got a medical test done before releasing him.

The application was submitted personally at the residence of the Chief Justice at 7 a.m. The CJ directed the matter to the division bench, which was called at the residence of Justice S.K. Mahajan. An oral notice was sent to State Counsel S.K. Aggarwal.

At about 11.30 a.m., Vikas8217;s counsel I.U. Khan asked the court to direct the police to question Vikas, if required, in the day and only when his lawyers are present. Khan also objected to Vikas being questioned in the terrorist cell. He told the division bench that Vikas had responded to police summons, issued under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The bench was informed that Vikas was not allowed to sit, sleep or take a break.

Subsequently, the court asked the police to question Vikas only between 9 a.m and 6 p.m. The bench, however, will hear the matter again at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow.

Vikas, accused of harbouring Manu Sharma, prime accused in the murder of Jessica Lal, was yesterday granted bail by a magistrate8217;s court.