DCW Counsellor Death Case: Delhi HC Denies Bail To Father-In-Law

Almost a year after a Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) rape counsellor was found hanging at her matrimonial house within five months of marriage, the Delhi High Court denied bail to the father-in-law of the deceased while taking note of the fresh injuries found on her person and her WhatsApp messages wherein she had spoken of harassment at her matrimonial house.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri denied bail to the father-in-law of Jyoti Singh, who was a rape victim counsellor at DCW and was found hanging at her matrimonial house in November, 2018.

The applicant had sought bail on the ground that there was no specific allegation against him in the FIR or the statements of the relatives of the deceased.

Additional Public Prosecutor Radhika Kolluru along with advocate Prashant Manchanda, who is representing Singh's Father, vehemently opposed the bail application.

They relied on a medical opinion obtained by the investigating agency subsequent to a lower court order which revealed that Singh had fresh injuries on her head which were sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature.

Justice Ohri also took note of the statement recorded by Singh's father that Singh had told him that her in-laws had demanded Rs six lakh and threatened to kill her if the demand is not met.

The court also took note of WhatsApp messages Singh had exchanged with her sisters where she had spoken of how she was being harassed on the most basic household chores leading to frustration.

Early this year, a Magisterial court had ordered further inquiry after a medical board constituted on the orders of the DCW following the request of Singh's father pointed at certain head injuries. These head injuries had found no mention in the post-mortem report.