Threat to Judge in Open Court? Allahabad HC Seeks DGP’s Affidavit on Former SP in 1988 Murder Case

While examining a decades-old criminal appeal, the Allahabad High Court recently sought a personal affidavit from the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, on the present status of a former Lalitpur Superintendent of Police who was accused by a trial court of threatening a judge during the hearing of a double-case murder trial in 1988.

The division bench of Justices J.J. Munir and Sanjiv Kumar said the allegations were so serious that they could not be ignored, even after decades.

Court was hearing a criminal appeal filed in 1988 when it took note of strong observations recorded by the then Sessions Judge, L.N. Rai, in his trial court judgment. The remarks which were contained in paragraphs 190 and 191 of the judgment delivered on April 30, 1988, accused the then Superintendent of Police, Lalitpur, B.K. Bhola, of attempting to interfere with judicial proceedings.

According to the trial judge’s account, SP Bhola allegedly warned that he would “drag the judge to the police station” if the court summoned certain police records, including wireless messages, or insisted on the SP’s appearance as a defence witness.

The High Court, quoting the trial court’s words, noted that the allegations portrayed a senior police officer as behaving “like a goon” while dealing with the presiding judge.

The judge had recommended departmental action against Bhola at the time but had refrained from making a reference for criminal contempt. Whether any action was taken subsequently remains unclear.

“These remarks are so damning that they cannot be overlooked,” the bench said, directing the state police chief to verify the former SP’s whereabouts.

Court said it did not know whether Bhola was still alive, had retired, or was receiving pension benefits. It ordered the DGP to file a detailed personal affidavit by December 9, 2025, specifying whether he is “still around or not,” and, if alive, furnishing his complete particulars, residential address, and relevant police station details.

Court further directed that any other report on his status must also be disclosed. Additionally, court ordered that the affidavit must state what action, if any, was taken on the trial judge’s recommendation for departmental proceedings.

The 1986 case in which these allegations surfaced pertained to charges under Sections 147, 148, 307/149 and 302/149 of the Indian Penal Code, arising from incidents in Lalitpur’s Narahat police station area. Several other officials were also mentioned in the original judgment, but the High Court indicated that their conduct would be examined separately, saying the focus for now was on the former district police chief.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 9, 2025. 

Case Title: Brindawan and others vs. State

Order Date: November 27, 2025

Bench: Justices J.J. Munir and Sanjiv Kumar