Indecent Video Circulation On Social Media A 'Major Menace' For Society, UP Police's Probe Quality 'Weak' In Such Cases: Allahabad HC

Importantly, the bench of Justice Ajay Bhanot was also of the view that the quality of investigations of UP Police in such matters is “very weak” which would start making “social collisions”.

In view of this, the Court directed the Government Advocate to place a copy of its order before the Director General of Police, Government of U.P., Lucknow for taking appropriate steps by U.P. Police on the following issues:

A. Poor quality of investigation over the supervision.

B. The poor proficiency of police investigators regarding I.T.-related offences.

The Court also directed that appropriate instructions be issued to the senior police officials of the districts to ensure that quality supervision is made in cases to raise the proficiency of investigation.

The occasion to pass this order arose while dealing with a plea filed by one Suraj seeking bail in a case lodged against him for allegedly circulating videos of a woman on social media.

In its order, the court also noted that though there are statements of witnesses to the effect that indecent videos of the victim were circulated on social media, the State Police failed to recover the offending videos in the case.

Posting the matter for hearing next on November 20, the Court also directed the Superintendent of Police, Jaunpur to be present on the next date of listing to explain the failure of the police authorities by filing an affidavit to this effect.

Case title - Suraj vs. State Of U.P.And 3 Others [CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 43140 of 2023]

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (AB) 422

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