Accused granted bail after woman believed to be murdered is found alive

Court criticizes police

New Delhi – In a murder case, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to Manjeet Kerketta, who had been in jail since 2018 — a total of six years. The woman he was accused of murdering, Soni alias Choti, has now been found alive. Moreover, the identity of the young woman whose body was recovered remains unknown.

Manjeet’s bail plea had been opposed by another party. However, the court observed that since the deceased woman’s identity is still unconfirmed, the accused cannot be deprived of his liberty and ordered his immediate release on bail. Manjeet had originally been arrested because he was last seen with Soni.

Court reprimands the police !

While granting bail, Justice Girish Kathpaliya remarked, “The investigation in this case has shaken the conscience of the court. The identity of the deceased woman is still unknown.” The court strongly reprimanded the police for their negligence, stating that the responsibility of overseeing an investigation does not lie solely with the investigating officers, but also with senior officials — who, it appears, did not put in adequate effort.