Contractor murder case: Lawyers stress on self defence aspect

Ludhiana: In the case of a 40-year-old man, who wanted to rape his daughter and was strangulated to death by his wife, 20-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter on May 24, criminal lawyers suggest that the police should have used Section 100, IPC, (when the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death) in the case.
The lawyers stated that according to police, the man had assaulted his biological daughter and also raped her step daughter years ago. Moreover, on May 24, the accused wanted to rape his daughter for which he also thrashed her and his wife, and the murder of such person should be seen in self defence prospective.
On May 24, a building contractor was strangled by the trio with a television wire in their house in Daresi area. According to police, the man wanted to rape his 15-year-old daughter. However, the wife and daughter objected to it. The police investigation also revealed that, earlier also the man had molested his daughter. On May 24 also, to pressurize them, the man wrapped television wire around his neck and threaten to commit suicide. On this, the woman and her children strangled him with the same wire.
The cops have also identified that in 2014, the man had raped his stepdaughter, who was 15-year-old then. He was also lodged in jail, however, later his wife had withdrawn the complaint. When the accused came out of jail, the girl had committed suicide.
Criminal lawyer Parupkar Singh Ghuman said, “Sections 96 to 101 of the IPC are for cases related to self defence. In this particular case, the police should have used Section 100 (when the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death) of the IPC. Otherwise, even if police have to register a murder case, they should first prove in investigation that the murder was done in self defence, before arresting the family.
“If police investigation proves that the murder was done in self defence of the body, the court will discharge the accused and further procedure will start to cancel the FIR. However, now since the accused have been arrested, on the basis of police investigation report court it can be decide whether the murder was done for self defence or not,” added Ghuman.
An investigating officer of the case said, “We know there are such sections, however, they have never been used. If the CP directs us to use these sections, we would do that. In this case, the police will include all aspects, including of self defence, in the investigation report to be submitted in the court. Legal aid will also be provided to the family.”