Patna High Court Seeks Records in Rohtas Ex-SP Contempt Case
The Patna High Court has sought all records in proceedings against a former Rohtas superintendent of police over alleged non-compliance with a trial court order, with the appeal scheduled for an early hearing on November 25.
The Patna High Court has sought complete records of proceedings initiated against a former Rohtas superintendent of police (SP) over alleged non-compliance with a trial court’s directions in a case already pending before the high court.
A division bench of Justices Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and Sunil Dutta Mishra described the situation as “peculiar” and “unprecedented” in an order issued on Thursday.
The bench noted that the trial court’s 2023 judgment, including a direction to register an FIR against a man over alleged false testimony, was already under challenge before the high court. It said procedural propriety should have been maintained but refrained from making further observations at this stage.
State Questions Trial Court’s Directions
Bihar Advocate General S D Sanjay told the court that the trial court had directed the then Rohtas SP to register an FIR against a man accused of giving false evidence. The trial court later initiated criminal contempt proceedings against the former police chief and imposed a fine over alleged non-compliance.
The advocate general argued that, under the applicable statutory procedure, a court cannot directly order an FIR for false evidence but must file a formal written complaint.
The high court directed the Rohtas principal district judge to submit a report along with all relevant documents and orders.
Appeal to Be Heard on November 25
The bench agreed to list the appeal among the first five cases on November 25. It said the disputed directions and related issues would be examined at the final hearing.
Meanwhile, the court ordered that no further action be taken and that the matter should not be escalated before the hearing.
