The Supreme Court stayed an Allahabad High Court order directing Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to a man allegedly kept in illegal police custody for over three months. The interim order came during the State’s challenge against the compensation direction.
The Allahabad High Court raised concerns over policing and governance in Uttar Pradesh, observing that sections of the police machinery appear more loyal to the ruling establishment than the Constitution. The Court highlighted issues relating to the Gangsters Act, administrative accountability, encounter killings, selective crackdowns, and alleged misuse of police powers.
The Allahabad High Court condemned UP police and civil officials for demolishing a house despite a stay order, highlighting a troubling culture of defiance among state officers. The Court emphasized the seriousness of such violations and ordered responsible officials to submit affidavits explaining their actions, mandating restoration of the demolished property.
The Supreme Court of India reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh Police for filing a criminal case in a civil property dispute, imposing a Rs. 50,000 fine on involved officers. The court emphasized that civil matters should remain non-criminal and criticized the misuse of criminal law. The case involved Rikhab and Sadhna Birani amid prior magistrate rejections.
