“Trace former Army captain, impound his weapon”

High Court directive to police on a plea by the officer’s wife

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to trace a former Army captain and impound his .32-bore revolver for allegedly threatening his wife with the weapon whenever there was a quarrel between them.

The Court had on June 6 directed the police to seize the weapon from the Army officer on a petition by his wife that he threatened her frequently with the weapon. She further alleged that he had been indulging in this criminal activity after souring of the relationship between them.

Justice Manmohan Singh passed the direction after the Delhi Police submitted a status report saying that they had not been able to trace the officer so far. The status report said that the police officers had visited his home at Chittaranjan Park in South Delhi several times in the past few days but the family members told them he had gone to Dehra Dun and not yet returned.

Notice issued

The police report also said that the DCP Licensing had issued a notice to the officer asking him to surrender the weapon following the direction of the court.

The woman in her petition submitted that due to the frequent threats by her husband with the weapon, she had left her house at Chittarajan Park and at present was staying at a relatives’ house at Kalkaji. She also mentioned that the residential property belonged to both -- husband and wife.

No action taken

She further stated that she had lodged a complaint with the DCP Licensing and the Crime Against Women Cell but no action was taken.

She also sought impounding of the weapon citing threat to her life from her husband as he often whipped out the weapon and threatened to shoot her when a quarrel between them broke out.

The court had on June 6 asked the police to provide protection to the woman as and when she sought it and impound the weapon of the Army officer.