The Delhi High Court has declined to take suo motu cognizance of allegedly threatening remarks by Delhi Police ACP Manasvi Vashishtha against advocates, asking the lawyers to file a formal petition instead.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to take suo motu cognizance of allegedly threatening remarks made by Delhi Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Manasvi Vashishtha against lawyers, and orally asked the advocates who mentioned the matter to file a formal petition, assuring them that it would be examined [Mentioning by Advocates re: ACP Manasvi Vashishtha].
The matter was mentioned before a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma.
What the Court said
Several advocates sought the Court’s intervention over the alleged remarks. The Bench said it would consider the issue once a proper petition was filed and listed.
“Please file a formal petition, we will look into it. We will order its listing.”
The Court asked the advocates to serve a copy of the petition, once filed, on the Delhi Police Standing Counsel (Criminal) Sanjay Lao, and added, “I assure you that we will look into it.”
The background
The dispute began with the handling of an assault case involving advocate Lalit Bansal at the Shahdara police station. District court lawyers launched an indefinite strike, alleging that ACP Vashishtha and Station House Officer Arun Kumar had threatened them when they went to the police station, and demanded action against the two officers. Both officers were subsequently transferred.
On Monday, around 100 Delhi Police personnel, joined by ACP Vashishtha, gathered outside Gate No. 1 of the Delhi Police headquarters seeking a meeting with Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar over the episode. The allegations against the officers have not been tested in any proceeding, and the officers’ version is not yet before the Court.
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Why the hearing matters
Suo motu cognizance is used sparingly, usually where no party is in a position to approach the court. By directing the advocates to file a formal petition, the Bench has signalled that the grievance, which involves allegations by one set of parties against identified police officers, should come through regular proceedings where both sides can be heard.
The Court has expressed no view on the allegations. Its assurance that a petition will be listed keeps the route open for judicial scrutiny of the clash between lawyers and the police in the capital.
Matter: Oral mentioning by advocates seeking action against ACP Manasvi Vashishtha
Bench: Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, Delhi High Court
Date: November 3, 2026