Delhi court denies anticipatory bail to IPS officer in illegal raid, extortion case

New Delhi, Mar 3 (PTI) A Delhi court has dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of a senior Mizoram cadre IPS officer who is accused of conducting unauthorised raids in the national capital, illegally detaining multiple persons and demanding money from a foreign national.

The offences committed by the applicant "undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of police as a whole", Special Judge (NDPS) Manu Goel Kharb said in an order while refusing bail to Shankar Chaudhary.

The matter is related to alleged police operations conducted between November 21 and 29, 2023, when Chaudhary was posted as Superintendent of Police (Narcotics), Mizoram, and supervised the said raids conducted by the Mizoram Police in Delhi.

In an order dated February 28, the court said, “Having considered the submissions and material on record, in particular, vigilance inquiry conducted at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the seriousness of the offences, this court is of the opinion that this is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant (IPS officer)”.

According to the prosecution, Chaudhary, while present in Delhi, led a team that allegedly carried out raids without lawful authority, conducted searches and seizures without preparing mandatory documentation such as seizure memos or panchnamas and detained several individuals without formal arrest or production before a magistrate within the stipulated time.

The court noted that CCTV footage allegedly showed Chaudhary entering the residence of a person identified as Harrison in the early hours of November 26, 2023, and leaving nearly two hours later. The footage purportedly showed Harrison carrying a locker and two bags.

He was subsequently escorted to Mizoram House in Vasant Vihar, where he remained from November 26 to November 29.

The court noted that the accused in the case is a high-ranking police official and the possibility of tampering with evidence and influencing the investigation could not be ruled out.

“The report of the Mizoram Government suggests that the applicant also needs to be investigated qua the offences of creating false and fabricated documents.

"The offences committed by the applicant are such which undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of police as a whole,” the court said.

The court said that it was expected from a person of the rank of IPS to maintain integrity and honesty in public service, high ethical standards and discipline in discharge of his duties, but the accused failed to maintain transparency and accountability and conducted himself in a totally defiant manner.

The prosecution further alleged that Chaudhary detained Harrison for over 72 hours without a formal arrest and similarly detained other individuals in connection with narcotics cases registered in Mizoram.

It was also alleged that no proper documentation was prepared for seized items, which included cash, documents, electronic devices and other materials.

An internal inquiry by the Mizoram government, referred to in the court order, reportedly found procedural lapses and misuse of authority.

It also alleged fabrication of statements to link certain accused persons with the detained foreign national. Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution submitted before the court that the accused had misused his official position and that custodial interrogation was necessary.

It submitted that most material witnesses were police personnel subordinate to him at the relevant time, raising apprehensions that he could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

The court then dismissed his bail application in the case. PTI SKM RT RT