Srinagar: The Court of the City Judge/JMIC, Srinagar, has registered a suo motu criminal case against Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, IPS, alleging repeated failure to execute court-issued warrants and non-compliance with judicial directions.
The proceedings were initiated by the court on its own motion under Section 210(1)(c) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
The order, passed by City Judge Tarun Mahajan, states that the action stems from a complaint case in which warrants issued against an accused and later against the SHO Bandipora allegedly remained unexecuted despite repeated judicial directions.
The court observed that neither execution reports nor explanations were submitted on several hearing dates despite orders addressed to police authorities in Bandipora and Srinagar.
According to the order, the court also cited two other cases in which it alleged that warrants entrusted to SSP Srinagar for execution against police officials of other districts were not acted upon.
The court remarked that the repeated omissions prima facie reflected a pattern of non-compliance, adversely affecting the administration of justice.
Referring to Sections 24 and 29 of the J&K Police Act, the court noted that every police officer is legally bound to execute lawful warrants and orders issued by competent authorities.
It observed that a willful breach of this statutory duty constitutes an offence punishable under Section 29 of the Act.
Under Section 29 of the Police Act, a police officer found guilty of neglect of duty may face a penalty of up to three months’ pay, imprisonment for a term extending to three months, with or without hard labour, or both, upon conviction by a Magistrate.
Holding that a prima facie case was made out, the court registered proceedings against the SSP for the alleged commission of offences under Section 24, punishable under Section 29 of the Police Act. However, since the proposed accused is a public servant, the court has issued a pre-cognizance notice seeking his written explanation.
It has also directed the Additional Director General of Police/Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, to submit a report on the circumstances leading to the alleged non-compliance before the next hearing.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 16, 2026, when the court will consider the response of the SSP and the report from the superior police authority before deciding the future course of proceedings.
