Pithoragarh Court Mandates FIR Registration Against Former IPS Officer in Trader Assault Case
The Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Pithoragarh has issued a significant order directing the registration of a First Information Report against former Indian Police Service officer Lokeshwar Singh and several other police personnel. This legal action stems from allegations that the officials stripped and assaulted a local trader inside the Superintendent of Police's office back in 2023.
Background of the Controversial Incident
The case has already seen the Uttarakhand Police Complaints Authority deliver a finding of guilt against the accused officers. However, despite this authoritative determination, concrete governmental action has remained conspicuously absent, prompting the recent judicial intervention.
The court's order emerged from a formal complaint submitted by trader Laxmi Datt Joshi, who operates a small garments business in the region. Joshi provided detailed testimony alleging that on February 6, 2023, he received a summons to appear at the SP's office located in Pithoragarh's Takana area.
The pretext for this summons involved questioning related to cleanliness matters at police quarters. Once at the office, Joshi claims he was subjected to severe humiliation by then-SP Singh and other police officers after being detained for what he described as "a considerable period."
Complainant's Persistent Legal Journey
In his court submission, Joshi outlined his extensive efforts to seek justice through multiple channels. He initially submitted an application to the Pithoragarh District Magistrate and filed a formal complaint through the Chief Minister's portal. When these avenues failed to provide adequate relief, he escalated the matter.
On February 8, 2023, Joshi presented his case before the state police complaints authority in Nainital. The authority took serious note of his plea and, in December 2025, issued a decisive order against Singh and the implicated police personnel. While the exact number of officers involved remains unspecified in the authority's documentation, the body explicitly recommended "departmental action" to the state's home department.
Contrasting Accounts and Authority Findings
Former IPS officer Lokeshwar Singh has vehemently denied all allegations, presenting a markedly different version of events. According to Singh's account, Joshi was summoned strictly for questioning in connection with a vehicle arson case and was permitted to leave the premises on the same day.
Singh further asserted that Joshi "has a criminal past," attempting to cast doubt on the complainant's credibility. However, the police complaints authority conducted a thorough examination of both accounts and ultimately found Singh's claims to be "inconsistent" with available evidence.
Judicial Intervention and Subsequent Developments
Following the authority's December 2025 order, Joshi encountered further obstacles when local police declined to register an FIR at the station level in Pithoragarh later that same month. Undeterred, he approached the judicial system directly on March 16, 2026.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate court responded decisively on Friday, ordering the Station House Officer to formally lodge an FIR against the former IPS officer and initiate a comprehensive investigation. The court further mandated that authorities "inform the court on the action taken," ensuring judicial oversight of the process.
Notable Career Developments
In a significant development, Lokeshwar Singh resigned from police service on October 14, 2025—mere days before the police complaints authority delivered its verdict. Following his resignation, Singh secured employment with an organization affiliated with the United Nations.
Singh, a 2014-batch IPS officer, had most recently served as Senior Superintendent of Police in Pauri Garhwal prior to his resignation. His career transition and the timing relative to the authority's findings add additional layers to this complex legal and administrative matter.
The case continues to unfold as authorities now face judicial pressure to formally investigate serious allegations against former law enforcement officials, highlighting ongoing concerns about police accountability and civilian protection mechanisms in the region.
