The Allahabad High Court has taken on record the Uttar Pradesh Government’s submission that it intends to frame uniform guidelines restraining police personnel from interfering with litigated matters by directly contacting advocates or visiting disputed properties without the Court’s permission.
Justice J.J. Munir passed the order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by 90-year-old petitioner Gauri Shankar Saroj, who had alleged intimidation by local police officers in connection with a land dispute involving Gaon Sabha land in Jaunpur. The petitioner had claimed that police officials attempted to coerce him into withdrawing his petition, and later, his counsel reported that his residence had been subjected to a raid.
In compliance with previous directions, the Superintendent of Police, submitted a personal affidavit before the Court. The Court noted, “A personal affidavit has been filed by the Superintendent of Police, Jaunpur. It is taken on record.”
The affidavit disclosed that disciplinary action had been initiated against the involved officers. Specifically, it stated, “The Station House Officer, Police Station Mungra Badshahpur, Jaunpur has been placed under suspension pending inquiry vide order dated 09.07.2025. Likewise, Indra Dev Singh, Sub-Inspector, also posted at the same police station, has also been placed under suspension vide order dated 11.07.2025. Show-cause notices have been issued to the other police personnel concerned.”
In a remedial measure aimed at curbing such interference, a district-level directive was issued, which states, “An order dated 12.07.2025 has been issued to all the police stations of the district, directing the Police not to visit places that are under litigation without leave of Court, and further, not to directly contact the applicant's advocate in matters which are sub judice.”
During the proceedings, Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal, appearing for the State, informed the Court that the Government intended to implement similar restrictions across all districts. On instructions, he sought ten days to draft and notify statewide guidelines. The Court allowed the request.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on July 28, 2025, with directions for communication of the order. It stated, “The Registrar (Compliance) is directed to communicate this order to the Superintendent of Police, Jaunpur through the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jaunpur within 24 hours next.”
Case Title: Gauri Shankar Saroj Vs. State of U.P and Ors.
Case No.: Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No. - 1118 Of 2025
Coram: Justice J.J. Munir
Advocate for Petitioner: Adv. Vishnu Kant Tiwari
Advocate for Respondent: Advs. Bhupendra Kumar Tripathi, and Dharmendra Kumar Nirankari
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