Hubballi Encounter: Karnataka High Court Orders Postmortem of Bihar Worker
BENGALURU: In a recent development, the High Court has directed the state government to conduct a postmortem of the migrant worker from Bihar who tragically died in a police encounter in Hubballi on April 13.
The deceased, Ritesh Kumar, a worker from Bihar, was apprehended by the Hubballi police on charges of assaulting and murdering a five-year-old girl in the city. Unfortunately, he was shot dead after he attempted to flee and attacked the police.
Following a petition filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) seeking a stay on the cremation of Ritesh, a division bench consisting of Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria and Justice K.V. Aravind ordered the postmortem of the deceased.
The bench mandated that two doctors at a local hospital conduct the postmortem, ensuring that the entire procedure is videographed and body samples are preserved for further investigation.
During the hearing, Senior advocate Aditya Sondhi, representing PUCL, provided insights into the charges against the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the alleged encounter. He emphasized the importance of adhering to mandatory guidelines.
In response, Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty assured that an FIR has already been filed, and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is actively investigating the case. He clarified that there are no intentions to cremate the body; instead, it will be buried, with the possibility of exhumation if needed.
The court has issued notices to the respondents, requesting them to submit their responses by April 24. This case highlights the importance of transparency and adherence to legal procedures in such sensitive matters.
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