The Supreme Court has expressed sharp displeasure over the investigative conduct of the Uttar Pradesh Police, severely questioning its credibility and integrity during a hearing on Wednesday. A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva remarked that the police’s handling of cases severely erodes public trust, prompting oral observations that it might be better to transfer all state investigations to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or even disband the force to put a stop to such practices.
The critique stemmed from a specific case where the complainant had apprehended a motorcyclist on the spot and physically handed him over to the authorities, yet the police registered the First Information Report (FIR) against an “unknown” person. The petitioner further highlighted that the seized motorcycle lacked a registration plate at the time of seizure—only for a number to be added later during the investigation—and that the accused was eventually given a clean chit in the chargesheet following a High Court intervention.
Describing the police’s counter-affidavit as “completely disappointing” and pointing out that bending over backwards to cover up facts goes far beyond mere compliance, the apex court directed the concerned police officer to appear in person at the next hearing with a clearer, fully explained affidavit.
