Indian judicial scrutiny of police misconduct

Indian High Courts have increasingly scrutinized various police departments across the country for failures in judicial compliance, witness management, and administrative accountability.

In Orissa, the High Court issued a contempt notice to a former Director General of Police for failing to reinstate a Sub-Inspector and allegedly misleading the court regarding an appeal. Simultaneously, the Punjab and Haryana High Court summoned senior law and order officials due to systemic non-cooperation by police witnesses in narcotics cases, which has caused significant trial delays.

In Delhi, the High Court has criticized the Delhi Police for a “lackadaisical attitude” toward witness protection and for failing to initiate departmental action against an inspector despite prior court orders. The court noted that police inaction regarding threats to key witnesses has contributed to witnesses turning hostile during murder trials, prompting orders for formal inquiries.

In a recent ruling, the Delhi High Court reiterated its criticism of the police’s “lackadaisical attitude” in a specific murder case where a witness turned hostile, directing a formal inquiry into the matter. Additionally, the court declined an urgent listing for a petition by the Kshatriya Karni Sena challenging the Delhi Police’s refusal to permit a protest at Jantar Mantar regarding reservation and University Grants Commission regulations. The court also dismissed a public interest litigation seeking an inquiry into conflicting reports of a police lathi-charge during NEET-related protests, ruling the matter did not fall within the jurisdiction of such petitions.