Punjab Newsline | Ludhiana
In the custodial death case of recovery agent Deepak Shukla in Ludhiana, court has taken a strict stance and ordered that four police personnel, including the then woman SHO, be tried for murder. The ruling in this nearly six-year-old case has sent shockwaves through the police department.
The incident dates back to February 2020, when Deepak Shukla and his wife Preeti were picked up from their home on suspicion of vehicle theft. According to allegations, the police demanded ₹1.25 lakh for their release. When the family failed to arrange the full amount, Preeti was released after paying ₹25,000, while Deepak was booked in a case and kept in custody.
Family members have alleged that Deepak was brutally tortured in custody, which led to a deterioration in his condition. He died on the night of February 26, 2020.
Medical evidence and a judicial inquiry contradicted the police’s claims. Testimony by Jagraon SMO Dr. Gurbinder Kaur revealed that Deepak had seven serious injury marks on his body, which caused damage to his internal organs.
The court has framed charges of murder and other offences against the then SHO Richa Sharma, ASI Jaskaran Singh, ASI Charanjit Singh, and Constable Jugnu, making it clear that crimes committed under the cover of uniform will not be tolerated.