The Supreme Court has strongly condemned the conduct of Uttar Pradesh Police Officer Gulaab Singh Sonkar, Station House Officer of Kandhai Police Station, Pratapgarh, for willfully disobeying the Court’s protection order and assaulting a petitioner, despite clear directions restraining coercive action.

A bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice NV Anjaria was hearing a contempt petition alleging that the SHO had arrested and beaten the petitioner on April 23, 2025, in blatant violation of the Court’s earlier order dated March 28, 2025. The petition further stated that when the petitioner showed the officer a copy of the Supreme Court’s order, the SHO brazenly retorted in Hindi, “Main kisi Supreme Court ka aadesh nahin manunga, mai tumhara sara High Court aur Supreme Court nikal dunga aaj” (“I will not obey any Supreme Court order; I’ll get your entire High Court and Supreme Court removed today”).

The Court took serious note of the SHO’s remarks and his disrespect for judicial authority, terming the act as a gross contempt and a direct attack on the rule of law. The bench recalled that it had earlier directed the Uttar Pradesh Home Department to conduct an independent inquiry through an officer not below the rank of ADGP.

Upon perusal of the Government’s inquiry report, which confirmed the SHO’s deliberate disobedience, the Court observed:

“Prima facie, there is willful disobedience of the Order of the Court by the first respondent, which requires to be dealt with iron hands and cannot be condoned under the guise of the police uniform.”

The bench remarked that the officer’s conduct had “polluted the stream of justice”, and such behavior erodes public confidence in the judicial system.

Although the Court was inclined to pass stern punitive orders against the SHO, it took note of the submission made by the Additional Advocate General, who assured that immediate action would be taken by the State Government in light of the inquiry findings. Granting limited time for compliance, the Court re-listed the matter for November 7, 2025, directing the State to report on the steps taken.

“At this juncture, the learned AAG appearing for respondent no.2—Principal Secretary, Department of Home & Confidential, Government of Uttar Pradesh—has submitted that in light of the inquiry report, the State Government will act immediately and apprise this Court of the action taken by the next date of hearing. For this purpose, accommodation is sought. Re-list this matter on 07.11.2025,” the order stated.