The Supreme Court benches of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva sat on June 20, 2024 and decried the manner in which the Uttar Pradesh Police had handled a motorcyclist‑related case.
The police had registered an FIR against an ‘unknown’ motorcyclist, even though the complainant claimed to have captured the accused on the spot and handed him over to officers. The FIR failed to name the motorcyclist, and the accused column was left blank.
A later High Court order for a status report prompted the police to insert the motorcyclist’s name into the charge sheet. Yet, the same officer subsequently issued a clean chit to the accused, raising questions about procedural integrity.
In its remarks, Justice Kumar asked, “If the individual was caught on the spot, why was he listed as unknown?” and challenged the police to explain the omission. The bench also described the counter‑affidavit as “completely disappointing.”
The court warned that “toeing the line is one thing, bending over backwards is quite another – and then there is this kind of cover‑up.” It suggested that if the police continue to act in such a manner, “perhaps all UP Police investigations should simply be handed over to the CBI.”
The immediate consequence is that the concerned officer must appear in person at the next hearing, armed with a revised affidavit that clarifies the initial omission of the motorcyclist’s name. The Supreme Court has also signalled that it will consider further directives to ensure that all future investigations in Uttar Pradesh are transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.