Uttarakhand cop seeks Rs. 70L compensation from Delhi police
What's the story
Moving Delhi High Court, a Uttarakhand cop sued Delhi police and demanded Rs. 70 lakh in compensation, alleging humiliation and mental trauma.
In 2007, Vivek Chaudhary was implicated on a fake currency notes case by the Delhi police, and soon his pictures were published in electronic and print media.
Though he was acquitted after full trial, Chaudhary wants compensation for distress and agony.
The case
Chaudhary lost job, was socially ostracized, his lawyer told court
As an officer of Uttarakhand police, Chaudhary had a blemish-free record. But after Delhi police's Special Cell implicated him, he was dubbed an 'anti-national', he claimed.
Chaudhary alleged he suffered mental agony when he was jailed for one year.
His legal counsel Sufian Siddiqui told Justice Rajiv Shakdher that the former cop lost his job, was socially ostracized and his family faced harassment.
The plea
Chaudhary's lawyer said Article 21 of Constitution was trampled with
The lawyer argued rights of Chaudhary, under Article 21 of the Constitution, were trampled with. He added keeping Chaudhary jailed affected the petitioner's right to dignity.
"The illegal acts of Delhi Police by falsely implicating petitioner and causing physical and mental harassment to him were clearly violation of the law," the plea added.
Further, Chaudhary said the trial Court observed lapses during the prosecution.
The argument
On the other hand, Delhi police called Chaudhary's claims frivolous
In its defense, Delhi Police's Special Cell claimed they were just doing their duties. The department, in an affidavit, contradicted Chaudhary's claims of trial court finding lapses.
The National Capital's police said Chaudhary was not given an honorable acquittal but benefit of the doubt.
Calling Chaudhary's claims 'baseless and frivolous', Delhi police added he had no evidence to prove them.