Take us to UP in shackles, bulletproof jackets, plead undertrials; court agrees

Haryanvi singer and Youtuber Ankit Balyan

NEW DELHI: In an unusual request, two accused in the murder of Haryanvi singer Ankit Baliyan requested to be handcuffed and shackled during their production before a court in Shamli, expressing apprehension that they could be subjected to a fake encounter by UP Police.

The court accepted their plea.In an order dated Nov 3, additional sessions judge Saurabh Pratap Singh Laler noted that the two undertrial prisoners, Deepak alias Teetar and Yogesh alias Tunda, had themselves requested that the constraints be placed on them during their production before the CJM, Shamli.Allowing their application, the court directed Tihar Jail authorities to ensure the accused are transported to Shamli court and back in handcuffs and leg shackles, while wearing bulletproof jackets. It also directed the jail authorities and DCP, North Avenue (NAV), to provide them "full protection" during the journey and their production before the court, and ensure that "no undue event happens".