Judicial Oversight Intensifies in Kavin Homicide Probe: High Court Mandates CB-CID Forensic Review of NHAI Surveillance Footage

In a decisive judicial intervention, the High Court has issued a directive compelling the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to conduct a comprehensive forensic examination of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage submitted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and submit a formal evidentiary report. This order addresses critical evidentiary gaps highlighted by defense assertions that the prosecution has failed to produce surveillance records corroborating the alleged 15-20 kilometer transit and subsequent duration of stay at a designated hideout by the primary accused. The defense contends that approximately 20-25 CCTV units are operational along the specified route, presenting a substantial potential evidentiary trail. The Court's mandate underscores a rigorous scrutiny of investigative protocols, emphasizing the necessity for methodical evidence collection and chain-of-custody verification in capital cases. This development signals heightened judicial oversight aimed at ensuring procedural integrity and evidentiary robustness, potentially influencing the trajectory of the ongoing murder investigation and setting a precedent for forensic accountability in high-profile criminal proceedings.