Bombay High Court Summons Police Commissioner Over Lack of Case Knowledge, Conduct Concerns”

The Bombay High Court has taken a stern stance against the state police, expressing dissatisfaction over the lack of knowledge exhibited by police officers assisting public prosecutors in court. Justice Madhav Jamdar, presiding over the bench, rebuked the police personnel for their inadequate preparation and summoned the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner to address the matter.

The court’s remarks came in response to Additional Public Prosecutor Veera Shinde’s plea for more time in a case, citing the inability of the accompanying police officer, Assistant Police Inspector Ashish Jadhav, to assist her effectively. Justice Jamdar highlighted Jadhav’s lack of familiarity with the case facts and his inability to provide essential information, including the previous convictions of the complainant.

Expressing concern over repeated instances of police officials failing to fulfill their duties, the High Court emphasized the detrimental impact of such behavior on the administration of justice. The court cited a case where a police officer arrived at the court without proper knowledge of the case and raised suspicions about his conduct, indicating possible involvement in pressuring the victim and her family.

In response to these observations, the High Court directed the Police Commissioner to appear before the bench on March 20, either in person or virtually, to address the concerning issues raised regarding the police officers’ preparedness and conduct in court.

The court’s decision underscores the importance of police personnel being adequately informed and prepared when assisting public prosecutors, as their knowledge and cooperation are vital for ensuring a fair and efficient judicial process.