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Indian judicial scrutiny of police misconduct

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2026-09-16 06:44 UTC → 2026-09-16 14:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~also~~ 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.

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