Uber cab driver in judicial custody

A Delhi court on Thursday remanded the driver of Uber cab, arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman executive here, in judicial custody for 14 days.

A police officer told the Metropolitan Magistrate at Tis Hazari court that they have not sought further custody of Shiv Kumar Yadav as they had recovered his clothes, a mobile phone and the car that was used in the  crime.

When asked by the judge, police said investigation in the case was still going on. However, defence lawyer Vineet Malhotra told the court that investigations were complete and his client should be sent to judicial custody.

The judge considered the “seriousness” of the allegations and that investigation was in a “crucial stage” and sent the accused to judicial custody till December 24.

Judge Ravindra Kumar Pandey also pulled up investigating officer (IO) Renu saying she “does not know anything (about the case)”. The court had asked Renu some questions related to the genuineness of Yadav’s driving license and when he was employed by Uber.

Seeing Renu unresponsive, the judge demanded to see the “real IO”. Another officer immediately jumped in and explained the details.

A similar scene was witnessed on Monday when Renu was slow in answering the judge’s questions and the opportunity was immediately seized by the defence lawyer. The same officer stepped in, saying that he had made the arrest and that he had all the information about the case.

The magistrate began the proceedings by asking the accused if he wanted to say anything. Yadav signalled though head movement that he had nothing to say.
 However, he expressed interest in availing the service of a private lawyer he knew, but was told that the private advocates were on strike.

However, as soon as the hearing started, two men claiming to be Yadav’s advocates tried to enter the courtroom. They were removed by policemen and other lawyers who told them that private lawyers were on strike.

One of them later identified himself as advocate Alok Dube. Dube told Deccan Herald that he practiced at the same court and was engaged by Yadav’s family.