Has the MP HC Ordered an Inquiry Against a Police Officer for Illegal Detention?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Madhya Pradesh High Court mandates inquiry into police misconduct.
- Allegations of illegal detention and harassment of a citizen.
- Significant implications for human rights and police accountability.
- Sanction against police officers involved in misconduct.
- Importance of legal protections in sensitive cases.
Indore, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has mandated that the Indore Police Commissioner initiate a departmental investigation into the actions of the Chandan Nagar Police Station's Thana In-charge for allegedly illegally detaining, handcuffing, and harassing a man along with his friends.
Highlighting the human rights violations committed by TI (Thana In-charge) Indramani Patel, the court also ordered the filing of a criminal case against him and the other police personnel involved in the unlawful detention of the individual while he was visiting a salon in Indore.
The man in question is the son of Sanjay Dube (62), a local real estate developer who has been charged under the POCSO Act after a minor girl accused him of sexual exploitation and resulting in her pregnancy.
The victim, employed at Dube's real estate company, filed an FIR at the Chandan Nagar police station on November 12; since then, Dube has been on the run.
In a surprising turn, unable to apprehend Sanjay Dube, the police detained his son, Raja Dube (32), keeping him in custody for over 30 hours on November 27 and 28.
Subsequently, Raja filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Indore bench of the High Court through attorney Neeraj Soni.
During the hearing on Thursday, Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and B. K. Dwivedi questioned the legality of Raja's detention. TI Patel claimed that Raja was held for interrogation concerning his father's case.
According to Raja's lawyer Neeraj Soni, TI Patel stated that Raja was handcuffed because the police station door was open, suggesting that he could have fled. The court, however, retorted that shackles should have been used as well.
In discussions with IANS, Soni noted that during a prior hearing, the bench had instructed the state's counsel and TI Patel to present CCTV footage from the Chandan Nagar police station.
Upon reviewing the footage, the bench remarked that there was substantial evidence against TI Patel, demanding a clear explanation for Raja's prolonged custody. TI Patel could not provide a valid justification for his actions.
The court concluded by ordering the Indore Police Commissioner to initiate a criminal case against TI Patel and to carry out a departmental inquiry against him and the involved police personnel.