New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the Delhi Police on a petition filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Prakash Jarwal, challenging his conviction in the Dr. Rajendra Singh suicide case. The matter will be heard again on November 3.
A single-judge bench of Justice Amit Mahajan issued notice to the Delhi Police while hearing Jarwal’s petition against the Rouse Avenue Court’s February 28, 2024 order, which had convicted him and his associate Kapil Nagar under IPC Sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 34, 120B (criminal conspiracy), 346, 506 (criminal intimidation) and 511 (attempt to commit offence). Another co-accused, Harish Kumar Jalwal, was held guilty only under Section 506 but was acquitted by the High Court on August 30, 2024.
The case dates back to April 18, 2020, when Dr. Rajendra Singh, a resident of Durga Vihar in South Delhi, allegedly died by suicide at his home. Police recovered a two-page suicide note from the spot, in which Dr. Singh explicitly blamed Prakash Jarwal and Kapil Nagar for his death. Investigators also found his personal diary, which mentioned that Singh’s water tankers were operating under the Delhi Jal Board, and that Jarwal had allegedly demanded money for their operations. Both the suicide note and the diary were presented as crucial evidence during trial.
The High Court is now set to review the evidence afresh and determine whether the lower court’s ruling should be upheld or overturned. Legal experts believe that the upcoming November 3 hearing will play a decisive role in shaping the future course of the case — either confirming Jarwal’s conviction or granting him relief.
