GUWAHATI: A sub-inspector in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad mistakenly initiated a search for a sitting judge instead of a theft accused, after incorrectly naming her in a court proclamation. The error, involving sub-inspector Banwarilal, came to light last month and has drawn criticism from the judiciary.
ALSO READ: Basic Structure Of Constitution Violated On Daily Basis, States SC Bar Association President
According to reports, the confusion began when Banwarilal, who had been assigned to serve a proclamation order in a theft case involving an accused named Rajkumar, instead reported to the court that a person named “Nagma Khan” could not be found at the given address. The name mentioned is that of the presiding Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) herself, who had issued the order.
In the report, Banwarilal stated, “When the attached NBW (non-bailable warrant) was served by me, then a thorough search was done at the mentioned address of Nagma Khan, and no accused of this name lives at the said address. Therefore, you are requested to please pass further orders.”
Responding in her March 24 order, Magistrate Nagma Khan termed the incident “quite bizarre” and pointed to the officer’s lack of understanding of court processes. She noted that Banwarilal appeared unaware of the order’s content, mistook a proclamation under Section 82 of the CrPC for an NBW, and blindly listed her name as the accused.
Magistrate Khan called Banwarilal’s conduct an example of “gross dereliction of duty” and reflected on the latter’s “utter neglect and carelessness”. The court directed senior police officials, including the Director General of Police, to take appropriate action to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
