The Delhi High Court has denied bail to Ashu Pal, who stands accused of the brutal murder of his wife, including dismembering her body and disposing of the remains in a septic tank in 2019, as per the case Anshu Pal v The State. Presiding over the case, Justice Girish Kathpalia emphasized the gravity of the crime, despite the accused having already spent six years in custody as an undertrial.
Justice Kathpalia noted, “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 prosecution’s narrative describes how Pal voluntarily presented himself at a police station on February 22, 2019, confessing to the murder. During his questioning, a PCR call was received from the deceased’s brother, reporting the discovery of his sister’s body in a septic tank. The brother’s complaint alleged ongoing abuse and dowry demands from Pal and his family, which intensified after the birth of the couple’s three daughters.
Further details emerged when the deceased’s mother received a call from Pal in September 2019, admitting to the murder—a claim she initially dismissed until her son confirmed the gruesome discovery. Despite these allegations, Pal’s defense argued there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of the deceased’s family members and contended that Pal never confessed at the police station. They also pointed to the slow progression of the trial as justification for bail.
The prosecution countered by presenting evidence, including a blood-stained weapon and the deceased’s personal effects, all subjected to forensic analysis. They refuted claims of a sluggish trial.
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In conclusion, the High Court found no compelling reason to grant bail to Pal, ruling, “Considering the above circumstances, I do not find it a fit case to grant bail to the accused/applicant. Therefore, the bail application is dismissed. Accompanying application also stands dismissed.”
The defense team for Ashu Pal included advocates Raghav Sharma and Vishvendra Singh, while the State was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Sanjeev Sabharwal.
