Supreme Court Directs Ex-Delhi Mayor to Consult Delhi Police Over UP Police Raid
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has advised former Delhi Mayor Farhad Suri to engage with the Delhi Police following a controversial raid at his residence by the Uttar Pradesh Police. This directive was issued on Tuesday after Suri moved the court with allegations concerning a midnight raid conducted by a large team from the Ghaziabad Police. The raid was ostensibly in search of journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who had reported on the Ram Mandir donation theft case.
Suri’s plea requested the registration of a first information report (FIR) and sought guidelines for inter-state police operations, particularly concerning the search of residential properties. However, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, refrained from issuing broad directives. Instead, they granted Suri the liberty to file his grievance with the local police station.
“If you wish to have an FIR lodged against the police officers, the appropriate channels are available to you,” the court remarked, emphasizing the existing mechanisms for addressing such grievances. The bench further stated, “If necessary action is not taken, you are entitled to pursue further legal remedies.”
During the proceedings, Suri’s legal representative highlighted procedural lapses, noting the absence of a search warrant and failure to inform the local police station before the raid. The counsel argued, “They claimed to have approached the local police station, but evidence shows the entry was made post-raid at 1:11 AM.”
In response, the court clarified Suri’s right to seek action from the Delhi Police. “Petitioner is at liberty to approach the jurisdictional police station under Section 175(3). We trust the competent authority will act according to the law,” the order stated.
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Suri alleged that the raid, led by Ghaziabad Assistant Commissioner of Police Suryabali Maurya, occurred between August 22 and 23, around 12:45 AM. His plea to the Supreme Court sought an FIR against the officials responsible for the raid and called for an independent investigation into the incident. Suri claimed the police initially misled him, suggesting they were pursuing a suspect in a double murder case, but later learned the operation was related to a road rage case involving journalist Abhishek Upadhyay.
According to Suri’s petition, he had already submitted complaints to the Delhi Police, seeking an FIR, an investigation, and identification of the personnel involved. He also requested the preservation of CCTV footage, call-detail records, and identification of vehicles used during the raid. Despite these efforts, no FIR had been registered, prompting Suri to approach the Supreme Court for an independent probe.
Additionally, Suri’s petition called for guidelines governing inter-state police operations, emphasizing the need for procedural adherence during residential searches.
