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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
