A Delhi court denied anticipatory bail to Mizoram-cadre IPS officer Shankar Chaudhary over alleged unauthorised raids, illegal detention and extortion, with Special Judge Manu Goel Kharb observing the acts “undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of police as a whole.”
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of a senior Mizoram‑cadre IPS officer accused of conducting unauthorised raids in the national capital, unlawfully detaining several people and extorting money from a foreign national.
Special Judge Manu Goel Kharb, while denying bail to Shankar Chaudhary, observed that the alleged offences “undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of police as a whole.”
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Factual Backgrounds:
The allegations relate to police actions carried out between November 21 and 29, 2023, while Chaudhary served as Superintendent of Police, Mizoram, and allegedly supervised operations by Mizoram Police in Delhi.
As per the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Delhi Police on February 5 after a vigilance probe, Choudhary is accused of personally conducting search operations in the Dabri–Bindapur locality between November 21 and 29, 2023, without obtaining written sanction from the Mizoram government or notifying the Delhi Police headquarters.
At that time, Choudhary, a 2011-batch IPS officer, was serving as Superintendent of Police (Narcotics) with the Mizoram Police.
The FIR further claims that on November 26, he entered the home of a Nigerian citizen and exited carrying a locker along with two bags, allegedly without preparing a seizure memo, inventory list, or panchnama.
The court also took note of CCTV footage which purportedly showed Choudhary, accompanied by personnel from the Delhi Police, entering the residence of an individual, keeping him detained for more than 72 hours, and seizing case property without complying with mandatory legal procedures.
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Prior to his assignment in Mizoram, Choudhary had been posted in Delhi as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) until June 2022. He was subsequently transferred amid allegations stemming from a late-night party altercation. That complaint was later withdrawn, with the police stating that the episode resulted from a communication gap.
Arguments of Parties:
According to prosecution claims, Chaudhary led a team in Delhi that carried out raids without lawful authority, conducted searches and seizures without required documentation such as seizure memos or panchnamas, and detained multiple persons without formal arrest or production before a magistrate within the prescribed time.
Prosecutors allege Chaudhary detained Harrison for over 72 hours without formally arresting him and similarly detained others in connection with narcotics cases filed in Mizoram. They also contend that proper records were not maintained for seized items, which included cash, documents, electronic devices and other materials.
An internal inquiry by the Mizoram government, cited in the court order, reportedly found procedural lapses, misuse of authority and alleged fabrication of statements to associate certain accused with the detained foreign national.
Opposing bail, the prosecution argued that Chaudhary abused his position and that custodial interrogation was necessary; it also noted that many key witnesses were subordinate police officers, raising fears he might influence them or tamper with evidence.
Observations of the Court:
In a February 28 order the court said,
“Having considered the submissions and material on record, in particular, vigilance inquiry conducted at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the seriousness of the offences, this court is of the opinion that this is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant”.
The court referred to CCTV footage that allegedly showed Chaudhary entering the home of a person named Harrison in the early hours of November 26, 2023, and leaving nearly two hours later; the footage reportedly captured Harrison carrying a locker and two bags. Harrison was then taken to Mizoram House in Vasant Vihar, where he remained from November 26 to November 29.
Given Chaudhary’s senior rank, the court said the risk of tampering with evidence or influencing the investigation could not be ignored. It further noted that the Mizoram government’s report indicates the applicant should also be probed for allegedly creating false and fabricated documents.
The court said,
“It is expected of a person of the rank of IPS to maintain integrity and honesty in public service, high ethical standards and discipline in discharge of his duties, but the applicant herein failed to maintain transparency and accountability and conducted himself in a totally defiant manner,”
The court reiterated,
“The offences committed by the applicant are such which undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of police as a whole,”
The court further said.
“The report of the Mizoram Government suggests that the applicant also needs to be investigated qua the offences of creating false and fabricated documents,”
The judge stressed that an officer of IPS rank is expected to uphold integrity, honesty, high ethical standards and discipline in public service; the court found that the accused failed to demonstrate transparency and accountability and acted in a “totally defiant manner.”
On this basis, the court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea.
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