The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the handling of police investigations involving advocates in the two states. A Division Bench comprising Justice Sandeep Moudgil and Justice Rupinderjit Chahal directed senior police officers to personally supervise such inquiries and submit reports to the court.
Court's Observations on Investigation Quality
Hearing a batch of applications in an ongoing public interest litigation, the Bench noted that progress in one investigation "does not inspire confidence". The court observed that certain investigative steps appeared to have been taken only after judicial intervention.
Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association president Rohit Sud was present during the proceedings.
Ambala Advocate's Allegations of Custodial Abuse
One case involved an advocate from Ambala district who alleged that he and his family were assaulted and humiliated by police officials from Mullana police station after approaching them regarding a land dispute. The court recorded allegations that police misbehaved with the family, used caste-related remarks, and subjected them to inhuman treatment. The advocate claimed that he and his family were confined in a lock-up, their clothes were removed, and they were beaten with sticks.
The Bench also noted an allegation that a police official placed his revolver before the advocate and threatened him to lick his shoe. The dispute arose from construction activity on land belonging to the advocate's uncle. According to proceedings, the family was attacked during construction despite an earlier compromise, prompting calls to police.
FIR and IGP Probe Ordered
During the hearing, Haryana submitted an affidavit stating that an FIR had been registered against two police officials under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and investigation was underway. The affidavit disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, had been directed to conduct a personal inquiry following the High Court's earlier observations.
"Expecting the assurance furnished by the senior police officer to be bona fide and with an intent to act fairly, transparently and in accordance with law while conducting the inquiry into the allegations levelled by a member of the District Bar Association, Ambala, it is incumbent upon the Director-General of Police, Haryana, to furnish before this Court the report submitted by the Inquiry Officer, namely the Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, Ambala, on the next date of hearing," the Bench asserted.
Whistle-blower Allegations by Advocate
In another application, an advocate sought court intervention alleging victimisation after raising corruption allegations against certain Haryana government officers, including two from the Haryana Power Department. The court granted time to file an affidavit detailing his credentials as a whistle-blower, while directing Haryana to file a reply through an affidavit from the Commissioner of Police, Panchkula.
Mohali Matter: Security Ordered for Advocate
The Bench also addressed allegations and counter-allegations involving an advocate and Mohali police in connection with a firing incident. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, informed the court that the advocate had allegedly contacted the investigating officer seeking leniency for his cook, who was accused in the firing case. The advocate disputed these allegations.
A video was played before the court showing police officials allegedly demanding a bribe for providing security, despite earlier court directions. The High Court directed the SSP, Mohali, to provide "reasonable security" to the advocate, comprising at least two police officials—one ASI and one head constable—during his travel within Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
