MOHAMMAD AFZAL MOHAMMAD SHARIF Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) Law requires, nay, ordains that its sentinels be vigilant, prompt and objective in enforcing and securing its mandate. To what extent the guardians of the law, viz., the police, discharge this task without bias and subjectivity is the question that arises in the case on hand. The complaint of the appellant before the High Court of Bombay, Nagpur Bench, was that the police officers concerned had failed in their duty by not registering a first information report apropos the attack and assault on him by four individuals on 13/5/2023. However, by order dtd. 25/7/2024, a Division Bench of the High Court dismissed his writ petition, suspecting his bonafides. Hence, this appeal.

(3.) At the outset we may note that, while reserving judgment in this matter on 19/8/2025, we permitted the learned counsel for the parties to file their written submissions, not exceeding three pages, within three days. However, the State of Maharashtra and its officials chose not to file their written submissions, even though three weeks have passed. To make up for their lapse, perhaps, the learned counsel for the appellant chose to file written submissions running into as many as eleven pages!