Paralysed after arrest, man seeks 20 lakhs `
New Delhi, April 8: The city police has been asked by the Delhi high court to reply to a physically- challenged Pune- resident’s plea for action against two cops for arresting him, allegedly illegally, in a domestic violence case lodged by his wife.
Alleging that he suffered a paralytic attack in wake of his arrest, Pune- resident Amit Bhandari has also sought ` 20 lakhs as compensation from the police.
Issuing notice to the police and two assistant sub- inspectors Krishna and Prempal, Justice Mukta Gupta sought their replies by April 27 on Bhandari’s plea alleging that the cops had arrested him last year despite the court’s order not to arrest him without a prior seven- day notice.
“Due to such mental and physical pressure and torture, petitioner ( Bhandari) suffered a paralytic attack owing to and as a consequence of such illegal arrest. Therefore, it can be conclusively said his physical handicap is a direct result of the immense stress,” Bhandari said in his plea.
He said on May 12, 2010, an order had been passed by ASJ Sudhir Kumar Jain requiring the police to serve seven days pre- arrest notice to him but the cops committed contempt by disobeying the order.
Bhandari, in his petition, alleged he had filed a case against the two officials at a Pune court for allegedly demanding a sum of ` 12 lakhs from his father for closing the case under the Domestic Violence Act against him and his arrest was an act of vengeance by the police officials.
“The conduct of the respondents ( Krishna and Prempal) is totally uncalled for and arbitrary being based on vengeance and is illegal for being a gross abuse of the process of law,” says the petition.
Bhandari alleged that he was not allowed to inform either his family members or his office about his arrest for few days as a result of which he lost his private job in Bengaluru.
“The sudden illegal arrest of the petitioner ( Bhandari) led to termination of his employment and made his family to undergo huge emotional and financial distress,” the petition claims.
He was eventually granted bail by the Delhi high court 12 days after his arrest, said Bhandari adding that the act of the police officials violated his fundamental rights and also the apex court guidelines on arrest. — PTI