“Approach High Court”: Supreme Court dismisses Habeas Corpus of ex-IPS Mani Lal Patidar
The Supreme Court bench of Justice Navin Sinha & Justice Ajay Rastogi on April 23, 2021 has dismissed the habeas corpus plea seeking production of Ex IPS Officer Mr Mani Lal Patidar who has been detained illegally by the authorities as per media reports.
“Your client has approached everywhere but not the High Court. If he's not being produced, go to the Magistrate & the High Court. The writ petition is dismissed. After some time leave is sought to approach the jurisdictional High Court”, Justice Sinha remarked.
The plea was preferred by Dr Mukut Nath Verma an Advocate practicing in the Supreme Court of India who has been fighting for Justice for Mr Patidar through Advocate on Record Anantha Narayan MG.
Advocate VC Shukla appeared for the petitioner.
Patidar who was posted as a Superintendent of Police in Mahoba Uttar Pradesh was booked on September 9, 2020 after 44 year old businessman Indra Kant Tripathi was found with gunshot injuries in his car, days after Indra Kant accused Patidar of extortion.
After Tripathis’ death, the deceased’s brother Ravi Kant lodged an FIR against Patidar & three others including former SHO of Kabrai police station Devendra Shukla for extortion. Patidar was thereafter suspended upon allegations of demanding bribe & a Special Investigation Team (“SIT”) was constituted to enquire into the allegations.
While the investigation & inquiry was underway, Mr Patidar approached Dr Mukut Nath Verma, a practicing Advocate in Supreme Court to represent him in the Special Investigation Team inquiry since Mr Patidar was unwell.
The SIT however concluded that Tripathi committed suicide & the charges against Patidar were later changed from murder to abetment to suicide & he was thereafter booked for the same. The SIT also found Patidar guilty of corruption.
Although a lookout notice was issued against Ex IPS Officer Mr Mani Lal Patidar by the police, however he was later arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The petitioner approached the concerned authorities by way of letters for production of Mr Patidar before the Court, but the authorities did not pay any heed to Dr Verma’s letter & never responded to the same.
Around December 22, 2020, Advocate Dr Mukut Nath Verma was attacked & threatened by some unknown person who pressurised him to stop pursuing Mr Patidar’s case. Advocate Dr Mukut Nath Verma had however lodged an FIR against the threats at Barakhamba Road Police Station.
The petitioner however approached the Supreme Court directing the Respondents to issue a writ of habeas corpus for production of Ex IPS Officer Mr Manilal Pattidar.
Case Title: Mukut Nath Verma v. The State Of Uttar Pradesh And Ors.| W.P.(Crl.) No. 180/2021