Patna court rejects transit remand of Bihar Fire dept IG, questions Andhra Police

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Patna, Feb 23 (IANS) In a major legal setback for the Andhra Pradesh Police, the Patna Civil Court, on Monday, refused to grant transit remand of Bihar Home Guard and Fire Service Inspector General (IG) M. Sunil Nayak.

The court sharply questioned the procedure adopted by the Andhra Pradesh Police and termed the action legally flawed.

The matter was heard in the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, where the Andhra Pradesh Police sought transit remand to take IG Sunil Nayak to Andhra Pradesh in connection with a criminal case.

During the hearing, the court said that the Andhra Pradesh Police did not have a valid arrest warrant, no updated case diary was produced before the court, and mandatory legal procedures were not followed.

Taking strong exception to these lapses, the court outright rejected the transit remand application.

Earlier on Monday, a team of Andhra Pradesh Police reached IG Sunil Nayak’s official residence located in the Shastri Nagar police station area of Patna.

The team conducted a search and preliminary investigation inside the IG’s residence in the presence of local police officials.

Following news of the action, security around the residence was increased, and a large number of Home Guard personnel reached the spot.

The personnel alleged that the action against their senior officer was being taken in violation of established rules.

After being produced in the Patna Civil Court, advocate Rishikesh Narayan said the court’s position, saying that arrests must strictly follow legal procedures.

“Any arrest has a prescribed legal process. Transit remand cannot be granted without proper documents. In the case of IAS or IPS officers, prior permission from the Central government is mandatory. That permission was not sought in this case,” he added.

He said that IG Sunil Nayak now has the option to approach the Patna High Court for bail, calling the court’s decision a major interim relief for the IPS officer.

According to sources, the court also objected to the fact that some Andhra Pradesh Police personnel appeared during the court hearing without uniform.

The court reportedly expressed strong displeasure over this lapse and directed the concerned officers, including three Andhra Pradesh Police personnel, to remain present in the courtroom while making strict observations about their conduct and procedure.

A case has been registered against IG Sunil Nayak under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

The matter is reportedly linked to K. Raghurama Krishna Raju, a former Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh.

Sources claim the case pertains to the alleged misuse of serious penal sections in a previous incident.

With the Patna Civil Court denying transit remand, IG Sunil Nayak’s immediate transfer to Andhra Pradesh has been stalled for now.

However, the case is expected to move forward through higher judicial forums.

The incident has triggered intense discussion within administrative and police circles, raising serious questions about inter-state police coordination, arrest protocols, and procedural compliance.

–IANS

ajk/khz

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Vadodara SOG seizes illegal cough syrup worth Rs 5.78 lakh, two arrested

Vadodara, March 15 (IANS) In a crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Special Operations Group (SOG) raided a residence in Vadodara and seized a cache of codeine-based cough syrup worth Rs 5.78 lakh.

Two suspects, Vipul Satishbhai Rajput, and Keyur Rajput, were apprehended during the operation.

Acting on a tip-off, the SOG team conducted a raid at Ratilal Park near Kaladarshan Crossroad, where the accused had been storing and selling the contraband. The authorities discovered 2,570 bottles of cough syrup, each containing 100 ml, with and without stickers. The operation also led to the seizure of empty boxes, mobile phones, cash, and a vehicle, bringing the total value of the confiscated items to Rs 7.89 lakh.

An FIR has been registered against both suspects under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Pani Gate police station.

Notably, Keyur Rajput already had a prior NDPS case filed against him at the Bhalaj police station in Anand.

In recent years, Gujarat has witnessed several significant seizures of illegal codeine-based cough syrup, highlighting a growing concern over the misuse of such medications. In June 2018, a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) led to the confiscation of over 42,000 bottles of Safecod Cough Syrup in Patan.

Valued at approximately Rs 52 lakh, this seizure was one of the largest in the state. The syrup, containing codeine phosphate, was illegally stocked in a godown near Rajpur bus stand.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had procured the drug from a manufacturer in Himachal Pradesh and had already sold around 12,900 bottles illegally. In September 2020, the FDCA and the State Monitoring Cell of Gujarat Police seized 4,942 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup worth Rs 5.72 lakh in Bavla. The syrups, classified as Schedule H drugs requiring a prescription, were being sold on the black market.

The operation uncovered stocks in both a godown and a residential apartment, leading to the booking of two individuals under the NDPS Act.

More recently, in March 2024, the Local Crime Branch of Morbi police seized 90,000 bottles of codeine-laced cough syrup, valued at Rs 1.84 crore. The syrup had been trafficked from Jharkhand and was intended for distribution across the Saurashtra region.

–IANS

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Karni Sena to announce next move over Harda incident soon

Harda (Madhya Pradesh), July 15 (IANS) Karni Sena chief Jeevan Singh Sherpur, released from jail in Harda on Monday, said on Tuesday that the outfit will soon announce its next course of action in response to the recent police crackdown during protests over the weekend.

In a video message posted on social media shortly after his release, Sherpur said a meeting will be held once other detained Karni Sena members are freed, during which they will plan a major protest against what he described as “brutal torture” by Harda police on Saturday and Sunday.

“Our fight will continue, and we will not compromise at any cost. I appeal to all members of the Karni Sena family not to visit Harda in the coming days, as the situation remains tense,” he said.

He also emphasised that the Sena will not damage government or private property and will follow a peaceful path of protest.

Meanwhile, the Harda district administration claimed the incident was being politicised and misrepresented as action against a particular community.

Officials said a video compilation — including CCTV footage and other visuals from the protest — has been prepared to justify the police action and clarify that it was not directed at any one group. The video is likely to be released after approval from the state administration.

The situation in Harda escalated after Karni Sena members protested against an alleged fraud involving one of their leaders, Ashish Rajput, who claimed he was cheated out of Rs 18 lakh in a diamond-related deal. Rajput had filed a police complaint against three individuals and led the protest demanding action.

During the protest, police resorted to a lathi-charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, arresting more than 50 people.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, along with his MLA son Jaivardhan Singh, visited the detained Karni Sena members in Harda and demanded a judicial probe into the police action. He also called for the removal of the district collector and the superintendent of police.

At a press conference on Monday, Digvijaya Singh said a memorandum would be submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav upon his return to Bhopal.

Another Congress leader, Ajay Singh, also condemned the police action, stating, “Lathi-charge is not a solution to every issue. I urge Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to engage in dialogue with the agitating leaders and resolve the matter peacefully.”

–IANS

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Man forces woman to consume alcohol during New Year celebration in Bengaluru, booked

Bengaluru, Jan 1 (IANS) A man was booked on the charges of forcing a woman to consume alcohol at a pub during the New Year celebration in Bengaluru, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, the incident occurred at a pub in the Bellandur area.

The man was booked after the woman, hailing from Odisha, lodged a police complaint in this regard.

The woman had gone to the pub with her boyfriend for the New Year party. While partying, the accused approached her and offered liquor.

When she refused, the accused behaved indecently and started arguing with her.

Hearing commotion, the staff of the pub rushed to the spot, however by then, the accused managed to escape.

The police have registered the case under the charges of sexual harassment and indecent behaviour and launched a hunt for the accused.

In another case, the Marathalli police have filed an FIR against a man for indulging in the act of touching a woman inappropriately at a pub in Bengaluru during the New Year celebration.

According to police, the incident occurred at a famous pub located in Kadubeesanahalli. Following the complaint in this regard by the victim, the police booked a case against an unknown person.

The woman went to the pub on Tuesday night to celebrate the New Year, where the accused touched her inappropriately.

She objected to his act and shouted at pub staff for not ensuring security for women. In the melee, the accused managed to escape from the spot.

The woman later lodged a police complaint with the Marathalli Police. The police took the pub’s Digital Video Recorder and were tracking the accused.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Traffic Police have registered 513 drink and drive cases between Tuesday night and the wee hours of Wednesday.

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