The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) involving a “dastardly design” to carry out an acid attack over a property dispute. While refusing to interfere with the investigation, the court expressed “extreme displeasure” with the Uttar Pradesh Police for recurring delays in providing injury reports, warning that it may summon the Director General of Police (DGP) if remedial action is not taken immediately.
The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Vinai Kumar Dwivedi on April 7, while hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Arun Shukla.
The matter originated from an FIR registered in Prayagraj on December 6, 2025. The petitioner, Arun Shukla, along with two others, was accused of planning an acid attack. According to the prosecution, the motive behind the planned assault was an ongoing property dispute. Shukla moved the High Court seeking to have the FIR quashed, effectively asking the court to stall the criminal proceedings against him.
Upon perusing the FIR, the court noted the severe nature of the allegations. The bench remarked that the documents pointed toward a calculated and “dastardly design” to use acid as a weapon.
Highlighting the gravity of such offenses, the court stated:
“Noting the extreme gravity of using acid as a weapon of offence, the matter requires a thorough investigation.”
Given the potential for irreparable harm associated with acid attacks, the bench ruled that it would not be appropriate to exercise its extraordinary jurisdiction to quash the FIR at this stage.
The proceedings took a sharp turn when the court addressed a systemic issue: the failure of the police department to submit injury reports in a timely manner. The bench expressed frustration over having to repeatedly summon mid-level officers for basic documentation.
The court observed:
“We cannot go on summoning inspectors and superintendents of police from different districts merely to ensure the timely supply of injury reports.”
The division bench made it clear that the state’s top administrative and police leadership would be held accountable if these delays persist. The court warned that it would be “compelled to summon” the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, or the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) if the police department does not fix the internal mechanism for forwarding reports to the court.
Concluding that the allegations warranted a full police probe, the court refused to entertain the petition and dismissed it, allowing the investigation into the planned attack to proceed.
