Delhi HC refuses bail to man accused of killing wife, throwing chopped body in septic tank

The Delhi High Court has rejected bail to a man accused of murdering his wife, dismembering her body and allegedly disposing of the remains in a septic tank, observing that the gruesome nature of the alleged crime could not be overlooked.

Justice Girish Kathpalia, while dismissing the accused’s bail plea on August 20, said that although delay in the trial could be a relevant consideration, it was not the sole factor governing the grant of bail.

“Of course, delay in trial is a ground for grant of bail. But that is not the only ground. While considering grant or denial of bail, the court cannot shut its eyes to the gruesome manner in which a lady was killed followed by chopping off of her body and throwing her in the septic tank,” the Court said.

According to the prosecution, the case was registered in 2019 after the accused allegedly approached a police station and confessed to having killed his wife, chopped her body into pieces and dumped the remains in a septic tank.

During his interrogation, the police received a PCR call from the victim’s brother, who alleged that she had been murdered and that her body had been recovered from the septic tank. An FIR was subsequently registered.

The victim’s brother also alleged that the accused and his family had subjected her to cruelty and demanded dowry because she had given birth to three daughters.

Seeking bail, the accused argued that there were material contradictions in the testimonies of the victim’s mother and brother. His counsel further contended that the trial was progressing slowly and that he was therefore entitled to bail.

The prosecution opposed the plea, maintaining that the trial was not being unduly delayed and that the seriousness of the allegations weighed against granting bail. It also pointed to the alleged recovery of a blood-stained weapon, along with the victim’s clothes and jewellery, which were sent for forensic examination.

Taking into account the overall circumstances and the nature of the allegations, the High Court said it was not a fit case for grant of bail and dismissed the plea.