JASPAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In furtherance of the order that we made earlier in the morning, learned Additional Solicitor General made a statement that he did talk to the learned counsel Shri Harish N. Salve, Senior Advocate, Sri G. K. Mehrotra, (Additional Advocate General for the State of Uttar Pradesh) , Sri Praveer Chaudhary and a number of other advocates in their chambers. Learned Additional Solicitor General stated that it was true that "some force" was used against Satish, the detenu in the precincts of the Supreme court.

(2.) The submission that "some force" was used is an euphemism. The fact appears to be that the detenu kicked and beaten in full view of the public and the lawyers. It is the height of intransigence on the part of the police to have resorted to such dehumanising reprisals, publicly performed, in the precincts of the Supreme court of India. It is, indeed, symptomatic and manifestation of an increasing culture of irreverence to authority and high-handed behaviour. We have framed the charges against the police officials for contempt of court.

(3.) Upon enquiry as to the version given to the learned Additional Solicitor General he stated that it was true that the detenu Satish was beaten up and kicked by the policemen accompanying him. The physical condition of the detenu was also got examined by the doctor of the Supreme court Infirmary. He is said to be very weak physically and there was, apparently, no possibility of his indulging in any offensive act. It transpires from the version of Sri Rajdeep Singh, Superintendent of Police, that Sri Pravin Kumar Chaudhary and Sri Udaivir Singh, the two Inspectors of Police of the CBI; Sri Vijender Singh, Head Constable; Sri Omvir Singh and Sri Narinder Singh, Constables, who were responsible for the production of Satish in court, permitted this disgraceful and abhorrent act of beating and kicking the detenu in the precincts of the Supreme court