New Delhi:
The Delhi High Court today warned that it would summon the city's top cop if the police does not follow protocol. "You want me to summon the police commissioner? I can do that," the judge said today.
He was unhappy because the police did not file an affidavit while explaining its stand on whether a CBI investigation should be held on the death of constable Subhash Tomar, who died from the injuries he received at India Gate when protests against the gang-rape on a bus turned violent.
Castigating the police, the judge said, "On the last day you did not file a status report, it seems you are not taking the court seriously."
Constable Tomar collapsed just days after that monstrous attack, as thousands of demonstrators gathered in the heart of capital clashed with the police as they tried to force their way into the high-security zone near Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Prime Minister's Office. He died in hospital. Eight men accused of causing his death and rioting say they are being framed by the police - some claim they were riding the Delhi metro when Constable Tomar collapsed, others say they were shopping at a mobile phone store. The court has requested footage from the shop and metro stations.
A lawyer has also requested a CBI inquiry, citing conflicting information about whether the constable died as a result of natural causes.
The High Court has also reprimanded the police force in other hearings, accusing it of trying to protect officers who were on duty on the night of December 16, when a medical student was raped, allegedly by six men, on a bus that had a record of serious traffic violations.