The Supreme Court imposed a Rs 25,000 cost on the Union of India after it admitted providing incorrect information about officers travelling abroad in a criminal probe. The error could have led to a wrong judicial order.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on the Union of India for placing incorrect information before the Court regarding the travel of officers abroad in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation.
The order was passed in Sathyan Naravoor v. Jacob Thomas IPS & Ors, where the Court observed that the wrong submission could have resulted in the passing of an erroneous judicial order, warranting strict action.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, appearing for Respondent No. 5 – Union of India, submitted, based on instructions, that the State of Kerala had not provided a list of officers travelling to the Netherlands for investigation purposes.
However, this claim was immediately disputed by the petitioner’s counsel.
Senior Advocate Jayanth Muth Raj, representing the petitioner, informed the Court that the requisite information had already been furnished by the State Vigilance authorities vide letter dated 7 November 2025.
In view of the conflicting submissions, the Supreme Court granted time to the ASG to verify the correctness of his statement, and the matter was passed over.
When the case was taken up again, ASG S.V. Raju candidly acknowledged that the information supplied to him initially was incorrect, and that the petitioner’s counsel was right.
The Bench noted that such an incorrect submission, if relied upon, could have led to a wrong judicial order, which is impermissible, especially in sensitive criminal matters.
Taking serious note of the lapse, the Supreme Court imposed a cost of Rs 25,000 on the Union of India.
The amount is to be deposited within four weeks in the following fund:
- Name of Fund: Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
- Bank: Canara Bank
- Branch: New Delhi
The Court directed the Registry to forward a copy of the order to the concerned authorities for compliance and record.
Background of the Case
The case arises from an appeal filed by the Kerala Government and activist Sathyan Naravoor against a Kerala High Court judgment that had quashed a vigilance case against former Director General of Police (DGP) Jacob Thomas.
The matter concerns alleged irregularities investigated by vigilance authorities and has significant administrative and criminal law implications.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter to 21 April 2026.
Appearance:
Petitioner: Senior Advocate Jayanth Muth Raj, along with advocates Harshad V Hameed, Dileep Poolakkot, Ashly Harshad, Mahabir Singh, Kaleeswaram Raj, Mohammed Sadique, Thulasi K Raj, Aparna Menon and Chinnu Maria Antony
The Central government: Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Suryaprakash V Raju and advocates Annam Venkatesh, Abhinav Mishra, Samrat Goswami and Arvind Kumar Sharma.
Jacob Thomas: Advocates A Karthik, Smrithi Suresh, Sugam Agrawal, Veera Mahuli and Nanditha S
Case Title:
Sathyan Naravoor v. Jacob Thomas IPS & Ors
Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 1353/2022
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