Prayagraj — The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to establish a robust accountability mechanism to effectively curb organised crime across the state.
The Court strongly observed that despite the scale and severity of such criminal networks, charge sheets in major cases involving powerful mafia figures often remain pending for years, and accountability is rarely enforced beyond lower-level police officers.
Justice Vinod Diwakar, while hearing a petition filed by Rajendra Tyagi and two others, criticised systemic lapses, noting that accused individuals frequently violate bail conditions and repeatedly delay trial proceedings, while public prosecutors and government advocates fail to present arguments effectively.
The Court stressed that applications for bail cancellation are often neglected, leading to the collapse of prosecution efforts.
“This needs to be regulated,” the Court remarked, emphasising that the law guarantees equality before the law for every citizen, yet selective investigations persist.
The Court stated that the government must build a system that ensures clear accountability at every level.
Affidavit Sought from Home Secretary-Level Officer
The High Court has sought an affidavit from a Home Department officer of Home Secretary rank, asking for clarification on data collected from districts and police commissionerates.
The affidavit must explain whether excluding the District Magistrate from mandatory joint meetings under Rule 5(3)(A) in Gangster Act cases is legally justified, whether it serves the public interest, and whether the current commissionerate structure meets its intended objectives.
The Court also asked the state to present comparative data evaluating districts operating under commissionerate policing versus those without it, along with details of specialised training provided to officials who now perform duties formerly executed by District Magistrates.
Additionally, the Court has asked for any studies by the state that demonstrate the Home Department’s success — or failure — in achieving intended reforms.
10-Year Record Required from DGP (Prosecution)
The Court instructed the Director General of Prosecution to file a district-wise comprehensive report from the last ten years relating to cases under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. The report must include:
- Total number of registered cases
- Total number of charge sheets filed
- Number of convictions
- Number of acquittals in charge-sheeted cases
The data is to be submitted through an affidavit.
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