Shivani murder case: Sharma casts doubts over police probe

Shivani murder case: Sharma casts doubts over police probe17 Dec 2007, 2025 hrs IST,PTI

Suspended IPS officer and prime accused in Shivani Bhatnagar murder, R K Sharma, on Monday alleged lapses during investigation and accused the police of tampering with the scene of crime. Arguing before Additional Sessions Judge Rajender Kumar Shastri, Sharma's counsel S P Minocha said the police probe into the case was not free of suspicion as many crucial witnesses had come up with contradictory testimonies. Minocha alleged that the police during investigation had tampered with the scene of murder, so as build up a case that suited the prosecution. He claimed that there were material contradictions in the testimonies of various witnesses over the seizure of glasses found placed on a table of Shivani's Navkunj Apartments house, and recovered after her murder on January 23, 1999. The counsel claimed that while household things were alleged left scattered after the commission of the crime, the photographs taken by the police indicated otherwise. Minocha submitted that in light of the material contradictions and lapses in investigation, benefit of doubt should be go given to the accused. He tried to substantiate his claim by referring to some Supreme Court judgements. The arguments which remained inconclusive would continue on Tuesday. Apart from Sharma, the other co-accused in the care include - Pradeep Sharma, Satya Prakash, Sri Bhagwan, Ved Prakash Sharma and Ved alias Kalu.