Youth gets bail in murder case; court flags lapses

Sasaram: The court of Additional Sessions Judge-IV, Sasaram, on Tuesday granted bail to a youth arrested in connection with the alleged murder of his girlfriend.While granting relief, the court made sharp observations on the investigation, stating that the case appeared prima facie to be one of honour killing and indicating possible involvement of the informant, the father of the deceased itself.The court questioned how a chargesheet was filed against the accused in the absence of a prima facie case. The court further said another chargesheet may now be filed on the angle of honour killing against the informant party.According to the prosecution, the case originated on Oct 10 last year when Sone Lal Singh of Kargahar lodged an FIR alleging that his daughter, Priya Kumari, was enticed on Sept 27, by Vikas Kumar on the pretext of marriage. Two days later, the decomposed body of the girl was found hanging from a tree in the area.The investigating officer arrested the accused on Oct 30 and sent him to judicial custody. Subsequently, on Jan 23, the police submitted a chargesheet against him. However, during the hearing of the bail petition, the court found serious inconsistencies and gaps in the investigation.When summoned the investigating officer Jaya Bharati said the arrest was made on the basis of the accused’s confession. The court, however, noted that no such confession was recorded in the case diary.SP, Rohtas, Roshan Kumar, said that he was reviewing the case.