Singh claimed that the police, instead of taking steps to contain the mob, rounded up Singh’s family members, including a six-month-old baby, and transported them in custody to Daryaganj Police Station. All 16 were allegedly kept in the lock-up for the night, before the police registered an FIR against them under several sections of the Arms Act and IPC, including murder.

Asked by the court today as to why minors were charged under the Arms Act and the IPC, the government counsel said the mere fact that they faced trial in a sessions court and not a juvenile forum, showed that none of them were minors. Singh also said in his petition that police had “falsely” accused his family of shooting to death two persons, including an army personnel, Krishan Bahadur Gurung, who were part of the team present at the spot.