P&H High Court Directs Preservation Of CCTV Footage Of Police Station Where Army Soldier Was Allegedly Stripped Naked, Assaulted Following Matrimonial Dispute

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the preservation of the CCTV footage installed in a police station wherein an Indian army soldier was allegedly stripped naked and assaulted by the police officers in Chandigarh, following a matrimonial dispute.

While issuing notice to the UT Chandigarh, DGP, and other authorities, Justice Karamjit Singh said, "In the meantime, CCTV footage dated 12.11.2023 of camera installed in Police Station Sector 11, Chandigarh be also preserved."

In November 2023, the soldier was allegedly beaten and stripped naked by the Chandigarh police in the police station, where his wife is posted as a senior constable. Thereafter, a video of the incident was also made by them. The petitioner stated in the plea that he was threatened by the police, saying that if he tried to approach his wife or child, his video would be made viral.

Days after the incident the petitioner said that he reported the whole incident to his Commanding Officer, who filed a complaint before the DGP and IGP of Chandigarh and the complaint was marked to the same police station in which he was assaulted.

The petitioner further submitted he had filed the representation in January, to SSP, Chandigarh to mark his application to the officer not below the rank of DSP to initiate action, but to date, no action had been taken.

The matter is now deferred to February 21, for further consideration.

Advocates GPS Ghuman and Shivraj Daumajra appeared for the petitioner.

Case Title: XXX v. STATE OF UT CHANDIGARH AND OTHERS