The Punjab and Haryana High Court has delivered a sharp rebuke to the Punjab Police, expressing severe displeasure over an inordinate delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR). The court has given the state's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, a strict 24-hour deadline to personally explain the reasons behind this procedural failure.
A Stern Judicial Warning
Justice Vikas Bahl, presiding over the case, did not mince words while addressing the police's conduct. The court was hearing a petition that highlighted the police's reluctance to file an FIR based on a complaint. Expressing deep concern, Justice Bahl stated that such delays in registering FIRs have become a disturbingly common occurrence.
The bench made it unequivocally clear that if the DGP fails to comply with the 24-hour order, the court will be forced to take coercive steps. "We are giving the last opportunity to the DGP, Punjab, to file his affidavit explaining why the FIR has not been registered till date," the court order explicitly stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The Core of the Controversy
The case revolves around a petitioner's struggle to get an FIR registered by the Punjab Police. Despite having a legitimate complaint, the police station concerned allegedly dragged its feet, prompting the individual to seek judicial intervention. The High Court, taking serious note of the grievance, had previously directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of the relevant district to look into the matter.
However, the court found the subsequent action taken by the police to be grossly insufficient and unsatisfactory. This perceived lack of earnest effort and adherence to due process is what triggered the court's strong reprimand and the direct order to the head of the state police force.
The court emphasized that registering an FIR is a fundamental duty of the police upon receiving information about a cognizable offense. Any unwarranted delay not only denies justice to the victim but also erodes public trust in the law enforcement machinery.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This order from the High Court sends a powerful message across the police hierarchy in Punjab and beyond. It reinforces the judiciary's role in holding executive agencies accountable and ensuring they perform their statutory duties without bias or delay. The directive to the DGP, the highest-ranking police officer in the state, personalizes the accountability for systemic lapses.
The 24-hour ultimatum places immense pressure on the police administration to rectify its course immediately. Legal experts view this as a significant move that could set a precedent for handling similar cases of police inaction in the future. The affidavit expected from DGP Gaurav Yadav must provide a convincing explanation for the delay and outline the concrete steps taken to register the FIR in question.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 6, where it will examine the DGP's response. The outcome will be closely watched, as it will determine whether the police's explanation satisfies the court or if the warned coercive action will follow. This episode serves as a stark reminder to all law enforcement officials of the mandatory and time-bound nature of their responsibilities towards citizens seeking justice.
