Custodial Death: Supreme Court Slams MP Govt, CBI Over Months-Long Delay in Arresting Policemen

The Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, sought an explanation from both the state and the investigating agency over the delay, noting that the officers had only been apprehended after a contempt petition prompted action.

The incident at the center of the controversy dates back to April 2025, when the victim allegedly died due to custodial torture. On May 15, the Supreme Court had castigated the Madhya Pradesh government for failing to take prompt action against the policemen involved.

The Apex Court transferred the investigation to the CBI, emphasizing the need for immediate arrests and accountability. Despite the clear directions, the officers remained at large for months, prompting the mother of the victim to file a contempt petition against both the state government and the investigating agency.

“What happened all these days? Why couldn’t you trace them? We have to almost frame contempt charges for you to act. This is not how a Supreme Court order should be applied. There was a three-judge bench order to arrest. What departmental action has been taken against the two officers? They filed for anticipatory bail despite this court’s order that they should be arrested,” the Bench observed during Wednesday’s proceedings.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Raja Thakare, representing the CBI, informed the court that both absconding officers had now been arrested.

Uttam Singh was taken into custody in Indore on September 27, while Sanjeev Singh was arrested in Shivpuri on October 5. Both officers are currently lodged at Indore jail.

The Bench, however, directed the Madhya Pradesh government to provide details regarding any departmental action taken against the officers.

The Court also recalled previous hearings in the matter, highlighting the repeated failures in compliance. On July 2, 2025, the investigating officer had arrested one police official based on eyewitness accounts of custodial torture.

However, while the absconding officers were identified as early as April, they were neither suspended nor arrested in a timely manner. During the hearing on September 25, the Bench had already warned both the CBI and the state government about potential contempt action if the officers were not apprehended promptly.

The Bench expressed particular concern over the CBI’s delay in arresting the absconding officers. It was informed that both officers were only suspended on October 1, months after the Supreme Court’s May 15 order. “It is shocking that action had to be prompted by a contempt petition. The delay undermines the authority of this Court and sends a dangerous message about accountability within law enforcement,” the Bench noted.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 6, with the Supreme Court seeking updates on both the arrests and departmental action against the implicated officers. The Apex Court emphasized that swift and transparent action is critical to restoring public confidence in the rule of law, particularly when law enforcement itself is involved in alleged custodial abuses.