'Madhya Pradesh Police Prima Facie Incompetent': High Court Requests DGP To Impart Proper Training To Investigating Officers

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently lamented the 'sorry state of affairs' in the MP State Police, thus requesting its Director General to ensure that proper training is imparted to their investigating officers.

Dissatisfied with the investigation being carried out by a Police Officer in a case, Justice Vivek Agarwal observed-

This reflects very sorry state affairs in the M.P. Police. Prima facie, they appear to be incompetent. Higher authorities are not ready to act and take action despite several requests sent by this Court. But, as a part of its duty, again a request is made to the Director General of Police to impart proper training to the Investigating Officers as either they are lacking in training or they have other compulsion to not to nab the culprit.

Facts of the case were that the Applicant was accused under Section 420/34 IPC and had moved his fourth bail application before the Court. He asserted that he was wrongly being implicated in the present case and hence deserved to be granted the liberty of bail.

While hearing the submissions of parties, the Court enquired about the investigation being carried out by the IO. Taking exception to the way the IO was investigating in the matter, the Court questioned the methodology adopted by him-

This reflects that either the team under leadership of Shri Chouhan is unaware of the niceties of conducting investigation or they are themselves guilty of supporting the accused in their activities as part of larger conspiracy. This observation is made because Shri Chouhan is not able to answer the queries of this Court and satisfy this Court that why he had not collected details of another brother of the absconding accused Azad. He did not collect details of any other relatives of Azad. He submits that two days back, he has made a request for collecting call details of brother-in-law of Azad.

Making the aforesaid observations, the Court decided to hear the matter next on 15.09.2022, giving certain directions to the parties to comply with by then. The Court also directed the IO to be present on the next date of hearing.