High Court questions delay in criminal investigations in Amritsar, seeks action against officials

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has raised concerns over the backlog of criminal investigations in Amritsar, where 1,338 FIRs have remained unresolved for over three years and thousands of accused individuals are still absconding.

Condemning the lack of police supervision, Justice N S Shekhawat directed the Punjab government to provide a list of all IPS officers who have served as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) in Amritsar since 2013, to facilitate possible disciplinary or legal action.

Justice Shekhawat also instructed the Director-General of Punjab Police to submit an affidavit listing all cases across the state where investigations have been pending for over three years.

The court expressed shock that some cases registered in 2013 were still unresolved, with investigating officers’ files missing for more than a decade. In several instances, medical opinions on victims’ injuries had not been obtained for over four years.

The court criticized the police for failing to arrest suspects, noting that no action had been taken to declare absconding accused as proclaimed offenders or to attach their properties. It highlighted a systemic failure in ensuring that accused individuals face justice.

Taking serious note of the situation, the court directed the DGP to personally oversee investigations and ensure they are conducted fairly rather than being closed hastily.

Justice Shekhawat also ordered disciplinary, legal, or criminal proceedings against officials responsible for destroying police records or causing the disappearance of investigation files.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 28.