Supreme Court Delivers Scathing Rebuke to MP Govt Over Protracted Custodial Death Delay

In a powerful display of judicial oversight, the Supreme Court of India has delivered a scathing rebuke to the Madhya Pradesh government, expressing profound dissatisfaction over an inexplicable five-year delay in prosecuting police officers involved in a chilling 2018 custodial death case. The apex court minced no words, asserting that the state cannot be seen to be shielding its own personnel when grave human rights violations are at stake.

The case revolves around the tragic demise of Suresh alias Kalua, a tribal man who died while in police custody.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after thorough investigation, had filed a chargesheet, clearly implicating police personnel. However, the wheels of justice ground to a halt as the Madhya Pradesh government inexplicably dragged its feet on granting the necessary sanction for prosecution, a critical prerequisite for the case to proceed.

A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta sternly questioned the state's dilatory tactics.

"For five years you have not taken a decision," Justice Gavai remarked pointedly. "You cannot be seen to be protecting your police officers." This sharp condemnation underscores the judiciary's unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability, especially in cases where the state's own agents are accused of abuses of power.

The state, represented by Additional Advocate General Saurabh Mishra, attempted to justify the delay by citing the need for consultations with the Law Department.

However, the Supreme Court remained unimpressed, highlighting that such procedural delays are unacceptable when a citizen's life has been lost under suspicious circumstances within the confines of state custody. The court further noted the victim's vulnerable tribal background, adding another layer of gravity to the state's perceived inaction.

This incident is not merely about procedural lapses; it's a stark reminder of the critical importance of human rights and the fundamental duty of the state to protect its citizens, not to mention ensuring that justice is swift and impartial.

The Supreme Court's intervention serves as a powerful message: no one, regardless of their position, is above the law, especially when it concerns the sanctity of life and the trust reposed in law enforcement.

With the case now adjourned, the Supreme Court has issued a clear directive, expecting a conclusive decision on the sanction for prosecution before the next hearing.

This puts the ball squarely back in the Madhya Pradesh government's court, demanding a prompt and just resolution to a case that has languished for far too long, casting a shadow over the state's commitment to justice and human dignity.