New Delhi (27.08.2021): Chief Justice of India N V Ramana has flagged the “disturbing trend” of police personnel under one dispensation facing the ire when another political party assumes office. This was ruled while hearing the case of Gurjinder Pal Singh (IPS: 1994: CG). He was given protection by the court. Singh was booked for sedition and amassing of disproportionate assets.

The two-judge bench headed by CJI Ramana remarked while granting protection from arrest to suspended IPS officer Singh. “State of affairs in the country is sad. When a political party is in power, police officials side with a particular party. Then when a new party comes into power, the government initiates action against those officials. This is a new trend, which needs to be stopped.”

Appearing for the IPS officer, senior advocate F S Nariman said Singh served as Additional DGP (ADGP) and was director of the police academy, and now proceedings under IPC Section 124A (sedition) have been initiated against him. There was no need for custodial interrogation of the officer, as the charge sheet has already been filed. He submitted that the present Chhattisgarh CM had once sought Singh’s help against his predecessor.

Appearing for the state government, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi urged the court not to grant him protection from arrest, saying that he had been the head of police academy but “look at his conduct; he has been absconding”.