Court in India dismayed as police blame rats for destruction of evidence in homicide case
Police in Indore city, Madhya Pradesh, faced scrutiny from the Madhya Pradesh High Court after revealing that crucial evidence in a culpable homicide case had been destroyed by rats. According to a report by The Indian Express, the police explained to the court that 29 pieces of evidence, such as plastic bottles containing viscera, were damaged by rodents during the rainy season.
The case revolved around a man named Ansar Ahmad, who was accused of assaulting his wife with a stick in August 2021, leading to her death during treatment. The police had filed charges of culpable homicide and causing hurt against Mr. Ahmad. However, due to the destruction of evidence, including the inability to obtain histopathological reports, the case faced a setback.
Upon learning about the loss of evidence on 4th October, the court expressed its disappointment at the conditions in which investigative material is maintained in police stations. Judge Subodh Abhyankar criticised the police’s explanation, stating that it was far from satisfactory. The court highlighted the need for police officers to take necessary steps to protect and preserve evidence collected during investigations.
Judge Abhyankar remarked that while the damage caused by rats could not be reversed, the incident shed light on the poor conditions in which evidence is stored in police stations in the state. He raised concerns about the situation in smaller police stations, especially since the incident occurred in one of Indore city’s busiest police stations.
In response to the incident, the court directed the police chief of Madhya Pradesh to assess all police station storage facilities to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Police officials reported that they had relocated evidentiary material from the storehouse, implementing additional measures to sanitize and secure the room.
The court’s intervention underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of evidence in criminal cases, urging law enforcement agencies to uphold stringent protocols to safeguard critical information vital to securing justice. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in preserving evidence and the need for enhanced vigilance to prevent such mishaps.