The Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Uttar Pradesh Police Director General to submit an inquiry report concerning the arrest of a Delhi resident by UP Police without notifying the local authorities. This directive was given by a bench consisting of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, who also ordered the UP Police counsel to provide a status update on the previously mandated inquiry.
The case came to light when a petition was filed alleging that on February 18, UP Police apprehended a man from Connaught Place in Delhi and transported him to an undisclosed location without prior communication with Delhi Police. The individual was released by a UP court the following day.
During earlier proceedings, the court highlighted that inter-state arrests must adhere to proper protocols and requested the Police Commissioner of Greater Noida to compile a comprehensive report on the incident. Advocate Vishal Gosain, representing the petitioner Satinder Singh Bhasin, emphasized that his client was not summoned by the UP Police to record his statement prior to the arrest, and the DGP of Noida was to file the status report.
The court also addressed a video clip that purportedly showed the petitioner misusing the court’s orders related to his habeas corpus petition. The bench sternly reminded all parties against misusing or misinterpreting judicial orders. The primary goal of the habeas corpus petition, according to the court, was to ensure the safety and security of the individual allegedly seized by the UP Police, not to resolve personal disputes.
Further, the court ordered the preservation and review of CCTV footage capturing the incident of the arrest. This order was part of the court’s response to the concerning nature of the arrest, which was executed “without adhering to the prescribed protocol.” On February 20, the court had sought explanations from both the UP and Delhi police regarding this protocol breach.
Additionally, the petitioner, who had appeared in court following his release, claimed he was physically assaulted and mishandled during the arrest. The Greater Noida police commissioner has been instructed to submit the results of the petitioner’s medical examination post-arrest.
