The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Madhya Pradesh government for the delay in arresting two policemen allegedly involved in the custodial death of a 24-year-old man, despite a clear order issued nearly five months ago.
A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan sought an explanation from both authorities, noting that the arrests were made only after the victim’s mother moved a contempt petition and the court intervened.
“What happened all these days? Why you couldn’t trace them? We have to almost frame contempt charges for you to act. This is not how Supreme Court order should be applied. There was a three-judge bench order to arrest,” the bench remarked during the hearing.
The court also questioned the state government over the departmental measures taken against the two officers. “What departmental action against the two officers? They filed for anticipatory bail despite this court’s order that they should be arrested?” the bench asked.
Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare, appearing for the CBI, informed the bench that both officers had now been arrested in compliance with the court’s directions. Uttam Singh was arrested in Indore on September 27, while Sanjeev Singh was taken into custody in Shivpuri on October 5. Both are currently lodged in Indore jail.
The bench directed the Madhya Pradesh government to file a report detailing the departmental action initiated against the accused officers. The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 6.
The top court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the victim’s mother, alleging non-compliance of its May 15 order. On that day, the Supreme Court had strongly criticised the Madhya Pradesh government for failing to act against the policemen accused of custodial torture and had transferred the investigation to the CBI.
The current investigating officer took over the probe on June 30 and arrested one police official on July 2, based on eye-witness testimony indicating his involvement in custodial torture.
When the matter came up on September 25, the bench had slammed both the state and the CBI for not arresting or suspending the two absconding officers, despite them being on the run since April. The CBI later informed the court that the two were suspended on October 1.
Earlier hearings saw the bench sharply rebuke the CBI for its inaction, warning both the agency and the state of contempt proceedings for their laxity in implementing the court’s directions.
