The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking forensic analysis of controversial audio recordings allegedly involving a senior IPS officer in a purported cash-for-sex scandal, directing the petitioner to approach the competent trial court instead.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry passed the order while hearing the PIL filed in May by advocate Nikhil Saraf. The petition sought an independent forensic examination of two viral audio clips that surfaced in April, purportedly featuring a serving IPS officer in a conversation about monetary exchanges for sexual favours.
The petitioner also sought the identification of the officer allegedly named by a woman constable during her arrest in a drug-related case.
During the proceedings, the state’s counsel, Salil Sabhlok, questioned the motive behind the PIL, claiming the audio clips were “inaudible, doctored, and unverified.” He argued that the petition bypassed statutory remedies and lacked genuine public interest. Sabhlok informed the court that the complaint against the officer was still pending before the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab.
However, petitioner’s counsel Amit Sharma contended that despite approaching multiple statutory forums, no effective action had been taken. He alleged a pattern of “institutional inaction and selective protection” in the case and emphasized that if the state questioned the authenticity of the recordings, a forensic examination was the appropriate course — not denial.
Taking note of the submissions, the High Court refrained from intervening at this stage and instead directed the petitioner to seek appropriate remedies before the trial magistrate. It clarified that the petitioner would be at liberty to return to the High Court if the trial court failed to act.
