Delhi High Court Slams Police for 9-Year Delay in Woman’s Modesty Case, Orders Inquiry [Read Order]

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has strongly rebuked the Delhi Police for their “callous attitude” in investigating a case filed under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code concerning the modesty of a woman.

Delhi High Court Criticizes Police for 9-Year Delay in Modesty Case Investigation

Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora made crucial observations while hearing a petition seeking to quash a First Information Report (FIR) that has remained pending since 2016.

The court addressed a writ petition filed by Mohinder Singh, who was named as an accused in FIR No. 36/2016. It noted, “This petition has been pending since January 2024, and notice was issued on 23.01.2024.”

Court Orders Inquiry, Directs ACP to Submit Status Report Within a Week

Criticizing police inaction, the court remarked, “This Court is surprised to note the callous attitude of the concerned IO, inasmuch as, despite having accepted notice in these proceedings on 23.01.2024, the IO has neither deemed it fit to file a status report in these proceedings nor concluded the investigation.”

Highlighting the petitioner’s ordeal, the court observed, “The Petitioner, who has been named as an accused in the complaint, has been facing ignominy due to the pendency of the case for the last nine years.”

Issuing specific directions, the court instructed, “The concerned ACP is directed to file a status report within one (1) week after examining the file and to also initiate an inquiry into the conduct of the main IO, who has been in charge of this case since at least January 2024.”

Stressing the need for accountability, the court directed the ACP to obtain a stepwise timeline from the concerned police official regarding the steps taken to complete the investigation since January 2024.

Mr. Ujwal Ghai appeared for the Petitioner, while Mr. Sanjeev Bhandari, ASC (Criminal), along with Mr. Arjit Sharma and Mr. Nikunj Bindal, appeared for the State. SI Sachin Kumar from PS Amar Colony was also present.

Case Title: Mohinder Singh vs. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors.

[Read Order]