Bombay HC Questions Police Authority to Punish DGP Directive Violations

The Bombay High Court raised concerns over disciplinary action initiated by Palghar Superintendent of Police against a police officer for improper case diary maintenance. A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Kamal Khata questioned why the SP had proposed withholding three increments when the court had specifically directed case papers be placed before the Director General of Police for examination.

The court quashed the show-cause notice and observed that the action appeared to be "just an eyewash." The bench questioned whether non-compliance with DGP directions could warrant only minor punishment, asking the DGP to clarify the seriousness of such violations. The court noted the show-cause notice did not reference the court's order or DGP circulars governing case diary maintenance, expressing concern over repeated instances of such lapses.