In a remarkable turn of events, the Allahabad High Court has reopened a nearly four-decade-old case of alleged judicial intimidation, demanding answers from the Uttar Pradesh police chief. The court is seeking details on what action was taken against a senior police officer who, in 1988, was accused by a trial judge of behaving like a goon and issuing threats.
A Stunning Revelation from a 1988 Judgment
The matter came to light during a routine hearing. A bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Sanjiv Kumar was hearing an appeal challenging a Lalitpur Sessions Court order from 1988 that had convicted 28 individuals in a murder case. While reviewing the old judgment, the judges' attention was drawn to two specific paragraphs—190 and 191—that contained explosive allegations.
These paragraphs detailed how the then Superintendent of Police (SP) of Lalitpur district, BK Bhola, had allegedly threatened the presiding trial judge, LN Rai. The sessions judge recorded that Bhola had the "audacity and dare" to threaten to drag the judge to the police station if he summoned certain police records or wireless messages, or if he compelled the SP to appear as a defense witness.
High Court Takes Cognizance of 'Damning' Remarks
The High Court bench expressed deep concern over the gravity of the allegations, which had remained unaddressed for 37 years. The court noted that while the trial judge had recommended departmental action against BK Bhola, he had mercifully refrained from initiating criminal contempt proceedings.
"However, the remarks of the learned Trial Judge in paragraph numbers 190 and 191 of the impugned judgment are so damning that these cannot be overlooked," the Bench observed. The court explicitly stated that the district police chief was found by the judge to have "behaved like a goon."
Court's Directives to the Director General of Police
Taking serious note of the inaction, the High Court has issued a direct order to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP). The police chief has been directed to file a detailed affidavit by December 9.
The court has demanded clear answers to several critical questions:
- Is BK Bhola still alive?
- If he is alive, what is his current status—is he still in service or receiving a pension?
- Provide his complete particulars and residential address.
- Most importantly, what action was taken against him based on the trial judge's directions?
The bench acknowledged that other officers were also named in the old judgment but emphasized that the conduct of the SP, who was the district's top police officer, was the primary concern for now.
This rare intervention by the High Court, decades after the incident, underscores the judiciary's long memory and its commitment to upholding the dignity and independence of the judicial process, sending a strong message against any form of intimidation.
