“The liberty of a citizen cannot be sacrificed at the altar of a policeman’s ego.” — Punjab & Haryana High Court
Introduction:
On June 24, 2024, a simple drive home turned into a nightmare for Sukhdev (Name changed as the Hon’ble court has ordered to mask his name and identity in all digital records) in Kapurthala. Because he couldn’t pull over for a police car on a narrow road, the officers grew angry and framed him in a fake drug case. This minor ego clash cost an innocent man 75 days in jail, but it ended with the High Court stepping in to punish the police for a shocking abuse of power.
The Anatomy of a “Plant”
The Sultanpur Lodhi police, led by Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh didn’t take the road delay lightly. What followed was a masterclass in procedural abuse:
- Illegal Detention: Sukhdev(Name changed) was whisked away to a police chowki and then to the Sultanpur Lodhi station. He was held illegally for two days without being produced before a magistrate.
- The Fabricated FIR: To justify the arrest, the police claimed Sukhdev(Name changed) was a drug peddler who had “tossed a packet of pills” while trying to escape a police chase.
- The “Evidence”: They officially recorded the recovery of 525 capsules. Under the NDPS Act, this quantity usually guarantees a long stay behind bars with almost no hope for early bail.
The Forensic Plot Twist
The police’s plan had one fatal flaw: Science. When the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) analyzed the seized capsules, the results were both laughable and tragic.
The “dangerous narcotics” were actually Acetaminophen—standard, over-the-counter Paracetamol. Despite the lab report clearing him, the police delayed the legal paperwork, forcing Sukhdev’s(Name changed) to spend over two months in a cell for possessing what was essentially common medicine.
The High Court Swings the Gavel
When the case reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Kirti Singh was scathing in her assessment. The Hon’ble judge noted that this wasn’t just a mistake—it was a pattern of behavior by the Sub-Inspector.
The Court’s “strict view” included three major moves:
- Personal Financial Liability: The court awarded ₹2 lakh in compensation to Sukhdev’s(Name changed). Crucially, it ordered that ₹1 lakh of this be recovered directly from the salary of SI rather than just using taxpayer money.
- The “Right to be Forgotten“: To protect Sukhdev’s(Name changed) future, the court ordered the Registry to mask his name and identity in all digital records. This ensures a “fake drug case” won’t show up when a future employer Googles his name.
- DGP Investigation: The Director General of Police, Punjab, was ordered to investigate how many other innocent people were framed using the “Paracetamol trick.”
