A court in Deoria has taken a significant step in the high-profile case involving former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur, ordering close judicial oversight of the investigation. The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court has scheduled the next hearing for January 6, intensifying scrutiny over the arrest of Thakur by Lucknow Police in an alleged land fraud case that traces its origins back to 1999.
Court Demands Detailed Report on Arrest Legality
In a move that underscores the court's proactive stance, the magistrate has directed the investigating officer to submit a detailed report. This report must specifically address the legality and necessity of Thakur's arrest and subsequent police remand. The court's order came during a hearing on Saturday, where the investigating officer from Lucknow was present and received documents submitted by Thakur's defence team.
Advocate Abhishek Sharma, representing Thakur, addressed the media after the proceedings. He stated that the defence has formally challenged the arrest, the remand, and the extension of police custody, labelling these actions as procedurally flawed. A key point raised by the defence is that a complaint from the complainant's wife on a similar issue was already under consideration in Lucknow, raising questions about the timing and basis of the arrest.
Probe Officer Asked to Explain Custodial Action
The court has posed pointed questions to the investigating officer, Sobhran Singh. He has been instructed to examine the defence's documents and clarify what specific material was gathered from the complainant prior to making the arrest. Furthermore, the officer must explain the circumstances that necessitated taking Thakur into custodial interrogation.
The defence also highlighted that earlier inquiries into similar allegations exist and that relevant documents have already been furnished for consideration. The case revolves around accusations that Amitabh Thakur, while serving as the Superintendent of Police in Deoria in 1999, misused his official position. He is alleged to have assisted his wife, Nutan Thakur, in fraudulently obtaining an industrial plot from the District Industries Centre.
Serious Charges and Ongoing Proceedings
The First Information Report (FIR) in this matter was registered at Lucknow's Talkatora police station in September 2025. It includes serious charges under the Indian Penal Code, such as cheating, forgery, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy. Lucknow Police arrested Amitabh Thakur on December 11 and presented him before the Deoria court.
When contacted for comment, Investigating Officer Sobhran Singh told media outlets that the matter is sub-judice and he would not be able to offer any remarks. With the court now mandating close monitoring and demanding a thorough explanation from the police, the January 6 hearing is poised to be a critical juncture in this long-running legal saga that connects a decades-old allegation with recent law enforcement action.
