The Supreme Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to initiate departmental proceedings against all Superintendents of Police who served in Mau district from 2023 onwards, taking serious note of the prolonged delay in a criminal trial. A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan observed that only two of 54 prosecution witnesses had been examined despite charges being framed against six accused in March 2023.
Supreme Court Questions Delay in Witness Examination
The case was originally registered in 2017. According to the court proceedings, charges against six accused were framed on March 27, 2023, but only two prosecution witnesses had been examined by the time the matter came before the Supreme Court.
The incumbent Mau SP appeared before the bench pursuant to an earlier direction and submitted an affidavit dated August 29 confirming the number of witnesses examined. The Supreme Court observed that the investigating agency has an important responsibility to ensure that witnesses are produced before the trial court and expressed concern over the limited progress in the proceedings.
Departmental Proceedings Ordered Against Mau SPs
The court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to begin departmental proceedings within two weeks against the SPs who served in Mau from 2023 until the present. The bench also indicated that if the disciplinary proceedings were treated merely as a formal exercise, the competent authority responsible for issuing the charge memorandums could also face action from the court.
The direction places the focus on administrative oversight and the responsibility of authorities involved in ensuring progress in criminal proceedings. Matters involving complex investigations and evidence may also require appropriate Financial Investigation support where financial aspects are part of a broader legal or investigative process.
2017 Kidnapping Case Still Pending
The underlying case concerns the alleged kidnapping of a 14-year-old boy from Mau on September 27, 2017. According to the reports, the boy has not been traced and no remains have been recovered.
The petitioner had approached the Allahabad High Court seeking transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation or another independent agency. The High Court disposed of the plea after the state informed it that the investigation had been completed and a chargesheet had been filed. The matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court over the progress of the trial.
Chief Secretary Asked to Submit Action-Taken Report
The Supreme Court has fixed November 16, 2026, for the next hearing. The Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh has been directed to submit a personally affirmed affidavit setting out the action taken and the progress of the departmental proceedings against the concerned police officers.
The court's directions will now be followed by the state authorities, while the underlying criminal proceedings remain under judicial consideration.