Delhi HC dismisses plea for extension of interim bail filed by IO convicted for custodial death of father of Unnao rape victim

The bench led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma of Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the plea for extension of interim bail sought by Kamta Prasad Singh, the Investigating Officer (IO) in the custodial death case of Unnao rape victim's father.

During the hearing, Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh appeared for Singh and submitted that his interim bail granted on medical grounds is expiring on January 23. Therefore, he sought an extension for two weeks on the primary ground that Singh's diagnosis reports are yet to come in the normal range.

On the contrary, the counsel for CBI submitted that the jail report dated December 16, 2022, and the previous report dated April 25, 2022, both the reports stated Singh's condition to be stable. He also added that on December 23 when Singh was granted bail, he had undertaken that they will seek no further extension.

The single-judge bench noted that though the diagnosis reports of Singh showed that parameters of his liver function were beyond normal range, but it would not suffice for extention of the interim bail.

“As per the parameters in the medical report, there is no ground to extend the interim bail. This can be taken care of in the jail hospital also. Hence, no ground for extension of bail is made out. The same is dismissed”, the court ordered.

Further, the court directed the Jail authorities to provide all necessary, sufficient, and adequate medical facilities to Singh.

On December 22, the single-judge bench had granted Singh an interim bail for four weeks till January 23, 2023, on medical grounds furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 20,000.

The counsel for Singh had submitted that he is more than 60 years of age and suffering from jaundice and various other age-related ailments. It was also contended that he has a history of contracting jaundice thrice in jail and splenomegaly.

Kamta Prasad Singh was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment our of which he has served more than 5 years. Also, his appeal against the conviction is pending before the High Court.

Case Title: Kamta Prasad Singh v. CBI