HC grants bail to IG Gautam Cheema

Chandigarh, The CCTV footage has come as a relief for Punjab Inspector-General of Police Gautam Cheema. The footage shows that Cheema did not accompany “abducted” “proclaimed offender” Sumedh Gulati to Max Hospital in a private vehicle. Co-accused Ajay Chaudhary is also not seen in the footage.

Taking cogniszance of the footage, Justice Jitendra Chauhan ordered stay on his arrest and directed him to join investigation.

The footage is significant as the FIR in the case alleges Cheema went to a police station accompanied by co-accused Chaudhary and allegedly abducted Sumedh Gulati before taking him to the hospital. The FIR also alleges he was accompanied by Chaudhary and two unknown persons.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the CCTV footage procured by the prosecution from Max Hospital was played in the court with the investigating officer’s assistance.

“From the CCTV footage, it appears that the petitioner did not accompany the alleged proclaimed offender, Sumedh Gulati, to the hospital in a private vehicle nor Chaudhary is seen in the footage,” Justice Chauhan observed.

Referring to the daily diary report, Cheema’s counsel KS Khehar said two persons were stated to have accompanied the petitioner. But the FIR mentioned three persons. He also referred to photographs taken from Karnal and Panipat toll plazas, showing Chaudhary to be present at the relevant time. He added the occurrence took place on August 26, but the FIR was registered after a delay of four days.

After hearing the arguments and going through the footage, Justice Chauhan asserted: “From the video clipping furnished by the prosecution, it emerges that petitioner and alleged proclaimed offender (the kidnapped person) were not in the same car. In fact the petitioner was already at Max Hospital prior to the arrival of Gulati.

“Neither the number of vehicle, nor the colour or make of the vehicle is reflected in the FIR. Under these circumstances, this court cannot shut its eyes to the admitted video clipping which would unambiguously demonstrate that the petitioner was present at Max Hospital, prior to the arrival of the proclaimed offender Sumedh Gulati and photographs of the footage of Panipat and Karnal toll plaza would unerringly indicate that, the co-accused Ajay Chaudhary was seen at or about the relevant time at the above toll plaza…..

“In the above circumstances, this court is of the considered view that the applicant has made out a case for stay of arrest. Consequently, in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on interim bail…”

Cheema has been asked to appear before the Investigating Officer on October 17 at 10 am in the police station concerned and make himself available for interrogation by a police officer as and when required.

Footage offers relief

The CCTV footage has come as a relief for Cheema
The footage shows Cheema did not accompany “proclaimed offender” Sumedh Gulati to Max Hospital in a private vehicle
Co-accused Ajay Chaudhary is also not seen in the footage
The HC has taken cognisance of the footage and ordered stay on Cheema’s arrest