In bizarre goof, UP cop hunts for judge instead of accused in theft case

In a massive and embarrassing mix-up that is would seem humorous if not for the serious nature of the issue, a policeman in Uttar Pradesh went hunting for the judge in a theft case after he wrote down her name instead of the name of the accused on the proclamation order.

Last month, sub-inspector Banwarilal in Firozabad was given the task of serving a court notice to theft suspect Rajkumar.

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He informed the chief judicial magistrate, Nagma Khan, that the accused “Nagma Khan” could not be found at her home though he made a “thorough search”.

“When the attached NBW (non-bailable warrant) was served by me, a thorough search was done at the mentioned address of Nagma Khan, and no accused of this name lives at the said address. Therefore, you are requested to pass further orders,” sub-inspector Banwarilal told the court.

‘Quite bizarre’: Magistrate Nagma Khan

In her order passed on March 24, magistrate Nagma Khan said it was “quite bizarre” that Banwarilal had “little to no idea of what was sent by this court, who exactly sent it, and against whom”.

“Without giving an inch of attention to the process, he first carelessly mentions the proclamation as an NBW, and he then just wrote the name of the presiding officer quite blindly,” said the magistrate.

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She said that the serving officer seemed to have been lacking basic knowledge of what was asked in the proclamation.

“It seems he has not even read it properly. Such a patent and grave error on his part reflects poorly on his working as a police officer as he knows nothing of the duties enjoined on him,” said the judge.

‘Precious fundamental rights at risk’

The magistrate said if such negligent police officials escape the consequences of their wrongs, “they would run amok thus trampling upon the precious fundamental rights to liberty of anyone as per their whims and fancies”.

She said the facts patently showed that Banwarilal “made zero efforts to pay heed to the process of the court”.

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“He has indicated utter neglect and carelessness in his duties, and has shown gross dereliction of duty on his part,” said Nagma Khan.

The magistrate directed senior police officers, including the chief of the Uttar Pradesh police, to take action against Banwarilal “so that such unwarranted acts were never repeated in future”.