A Delhi court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a senior IPS officer from the Mizoram cadre, who is accused of carrying out unauthorised raids in Delhi, unlawfully detaining several individuals and allegedly extorting money from a foreign national.

The offences allegedly committed by the applicant “strike at the very integrity of the justice system, erode public confidence and damage the image of the police force as a whole,” Special Judge Manu Goel Kharb observed while denying bail to Shankar Chaudhary.

The case pertains to alleged police operations carried out between November 21 and 29, 2023, during which Chaudhary was serving as Superintendent of Police, Mizoram, and is said to have supervised the raids conducted by the Mizoram Police in Delhi.

In an order dated February 28, the court said, "Having considered the submissions and material on record, in particular, vigilance inquiry conducted at the behest of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the seriousness of the offences, this court is of the opinion that this is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant ".

According to the prosecution, Chaudhary was in Delhi at the time and allegedly headed a team that conducted raids without proper legal authority. It is claimed that searches and seizures were carried out without preparing required documents such as seizure memos or panchnamas, and that several individuals were detained without being formally arrested or produced before a magistrate within the prescribed time.

The court observed that CCTV footage allegedly shows Chaudhary entering the residence of a person identified as Harrison in the early hours of November 26, 2023, and leaving nearly two hours later. The footage reportedly shows Harrison carrying a locker and two bags.

He was later taken to Mizoram House in Vasant Vihar, where he stayed from November 26 to November 29.

The court further noted that the accused is a senior police officer and held that the possibility of influencing the investigation or tampering with evidence cannot be ruled out.

Referring to a report of the Mizoram Government, the court noted that the applicant may also require investigation in relation to allegations of creating false and fabricated documents.

“The offences committed by the applicant are such which undermine the integrity of the justice system, erode public trust and tarnish the image of the police as a whole,” the court observed.

It further stated that an officer of the rank of IPS is expected to uphold integrity, honesty, high ethical standards and discipline in public service. However, the court remarked that the accused failed to maintain transparency and accountability and appeared to have acted in a defiant manner.

The prosecution alleged that Chaudhary detained Harrison for more than 72 hours without formally arresting him and similarly detained other individuals in connection with narcotics cases registered in Mizoram. It was also claimed that no proper documentation was prepared for seized items, including cash, documents, electronic devices and other materials.

An internal inquiry conducted by the Mizoram Government, as noted in the order, reportedly pointed to procedural lapses and misuse of authority. It also alleged that statements were fabricated to link certain accused persons with the detained foreign national.

Opposing the anticipatory bail plea, the prosecution argued that Chaudhary had misused his official position and that custodial interrogation was necessary. It submitted that most of the material witnesses were police personnel who were subordinate to him at the relevant time, raising concerns that he could influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

After considering these submissions, the court dismissed the bail application.