The Allahabad High Court criticized the Uttar Pradesh Police for filing chargesheets indiscriminately without proper diligence. The court noted that such actions undermine the justice system and violate legal standards. It emphasized the need for thorough investigation and adherence to due process. The court’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about police practices in the state.
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The Allahabad High Court expressed concerns over the Uttar Pradesh Police‘s handling of criminal cases, particularly in murder investigations.
According to the recent observations made by Justice Manju Rani Chauhan, the police have been filing chargesheets indiscriminately without paying adequate attention to the collection of evidence.
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The Court stressed the necessity for guidelines that highlight the utmost significance of comprehensive and unbiased investigations, emphasizing the importance of making decisions based on evidence when filing chargesheets.
Justice Chauhan remarked,
“The Court has noted a troubling pattern where chargesheets are haphazardly filed, particularly in cases of murder, without proper scrutiny in gathering evidence. This regrettable trend not only diminishes the integrity of the legal proceedings but also compromises the fundamental tenets of justice and equity upon which our legal system is built.”
The court expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of cases being treated with a “casual convenience” and where the diligent pursuit of justice, being replaced by a perfunctory exercise of labelling cases as open and shut, despite the glaring absence of concrete evidence.
While calling for the Director General of Police to intervene in this matter, the court emphasized that the authorities must hold the investigating officers accountable for their actions, particularly when their negligence or misconduct leads to the miscarriage of justice.
The court further stated that this accountability mechanism serves as a vital deterrent against the arbitrary exercise of power and helps reinforce public trust in the integrity of law enforcement agencies.
The Court stated,
“The essence of the case’s factual context highlights the immediate necessity for judicial involvement to uphold justice principles, guarantee procedural equity, and protect the accused’s rights. The forthcoming ruling in this case should act as a rallying cry for reform, urging the relevant authorities to maintain the utmost standards of integrity and professionalism in dispensing justice,”
In the current case, the Court called upon the investigators to explain how the initial murder charge changed to abetment of suicide.
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Notably, in a previous similar case on May 15th, the Court rejected the explanation provided by an Investigating Officer regarding the filing of a chargesheet under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code instead of Section 302 (murder).
The order stated,
“The Investigating Officer of this case, Mr. Sunil Tomar, is granted an additional week to procure the hospital documents related to the deceased’s treatment following the burn injuries. He is also instructed to submit a personal affidavit detailing the progression of the investigation. Mr. Tomar is required to appear before this Court on the next scheduled date,”
The accused represented by Advocates Jai Raj, Rajendra Kumar Dubey, and Santosh Kumar Pandey.
Advocate Mayank Awasthi appeared on behalf of the State.
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