Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Jan 30: The Allahabad High Court on Friday came down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh Police, observing that officers were routinely mounting pressure on judges — particularly Chief Judicial Magistrates (CJMs) — to pass specific orders.

In a stern message to the state authorities, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal told the State counsel that the court would not allow Uttar Pradesh to turn into a “Police State”.

The remarks were made during a hearing in which Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Krishna and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad were asked to appear via video conference to explain steps being taken to curb the growing trend of police shooting accused persons in the legs.

The court noted that in several districts, police officials — especially newly inducted officers — were allegedly disregarding legal procedures and Supreme Court directions, leading to repeated confrontations with judicial officers.

“In districts, the law is not being abided by. I have not come across a single case where the law or the direction of the apex court has been followed,” the court observed, adding that disputes between the district police chief and judicial officers had become a routine affair.

Justice Deshwal pointed out that whenever a CJM questioned the police for non-compliance, a tussle often began between the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the judicial officer, with the police chief allegedly pressurising the judge for a particular order. He also said that, in one case, a CJM had to be shifted to end such friction.

The judge clarified that the issue was not confined to one district and said he had received feedback from district judges across the state regarding similar conduct, especially by young IPS officers.

The court further stated that it had received inputs from Bar association leaders claiming that senior police officers sometimes entered courtrooms and attempted to influence judicial officers.

Stressing the need for mutual respect between police authorities and the judiciary, Justice Deshwal said that the common people would ultimately suffer if such ego clashes continued.

“A police officer should not consider himself superior to a judicial officer,” the court said, adding that once a judicial officer is seated on the dais, he is above everyone present in the courtroom.

Justice Deshwal also noted that he had instructed trial court judges not to rise from the dais during his inspections, saying protocol-wise the judicial officer is “above” even a High Court judge in that setting.

Responding to the observations, DGP Rajiv Krishna assured the court that instructions would be issued to ensure proper protocol. “Majesty of law is supreme, there is no doubt about that,” he said.

Reiterating its stand, the court underlined that the power to punish lies with the judiciary and not the police, and warned that continued friction between the two institutions would serve no purpose.