Submitting that it was awaiting DNA test reports of the parents of the deceased, the Mohali police sought further time from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to investigate the alleged murder of Kumar, a Panchkula-based realtor.

However, terming this an alibi, counsel for parents of the deceased alleged that the Mohali police was dragging its feet in the case and was clueless. Despite the fact that the parents had testified that the body recovered from the vehicle was of their son, the Mohali police took DNA samples and sent them to Gandhinagar. Reports are still awaited.

Expressing shock over this, the counsel argued that it was strange that the Mohali police had failed to obtain reports of the DNA tests in the last two years.

Taking note, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set one-month deadline for the Mohali police to obtain the DNA test reports and produce the same before the court.

Talking to Chandigarh Newsline, Rakesh, brother of the deceased, said: “Rather than collecting evidence, the Mohali police officers are pressuring us to hand over them evidence. They are intimidating the entire family. We are being accused of misleading the investigation.”

In its latest status report given last month, the Mohali police had hinted at suicide but submitted that they were yet to reach a logical conclusion. The status report stated that a couple of days before his “mysterious” death, 28-year- old Kumar had informed his sister by phone that he “would die” as he would not be able to marry his beloved. Also, he was under stress as his beloved was about to get married to someone else.

Unsatisfied with the “quality” of investigation done by the Mohali police in the case, the High Court had directed the Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police to personally monitor the review. In July, the High Court had taken strong note of the “snail’s pace” at which the investigation was moving and that despite a “delay of one and half years not even one accused was arrested”.