UP cop mistakes judge for theft accused, searches her home in shocking blunder
New Delhi: In a startling case of police negligence, a sub-inspector in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, wrongly identified a sitting judicial officer as a proclaimed offender and searched her residence, triggering outrage within the judiciary and immediate disciplinary action.
The officer, Sub-Inspector Banwarilal, was executing a proclamation order under Section 82 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) against an absconding theft accused, Rajkumar alias Pappu. However, in a major lapse, he mistook Chief Judicial Magistrate Nagma Khan—the very judge who had issued the order—for the accused.
Rajkumar had been evading arrest in connection with a 2012 theft case registered at Thana North Police Station. After repeated non-bailable warrants failed to secure his presence, Magistrate Khan ordered proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender.
Instead of acting on the correct details, SI Banwarilal submitted a report to the court mislabeling the proclamation as a non-bailable warrant and erroneously listing Judge Khan’s name as the accused. He further claimed she was untraceable at her residence, prompting the court's alarm.
The error came to light during a court hearing on March 23. A visibly shocked Magistrate Khan denounced the sub-inspector's conduct as a “patent and grave error,” citing his failure to read and understand the judicial order.
“It is quite bizarre that the serving officer of the concerned Police Station has little to no idea of what was sent by this court, who exactly sent it, and against whom,” she remarked, adding that such negligence poses serious threats to the fundamental rights of individuals and public confidence in the justice system.
The court further warned that unchecked carelessness by law enforcement officers could result in arbitrary actions and the misuse of power. “If such negligent police officials are made free to serve processes in such a blind form, escaping the consequences of their wrongs, they will run amok,” the court observed.
Copies of the court’s order were sent to senior police authorities, including the Inspector General of Police (Agra Range), the Director General of Police (Uttar Pradesh), and the Superintendent of Police (Firozabad), recommending a formal inquiry and disciplinary action.
Acting on the court’s directive, Firozabad SSP Saurabh Dixit suspended Sub-Inspector Banwarilal with immediate effect, pending further investigation. The matter will next be heard on April 26, 2025.
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Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
