Vijayawada High Court Reserves Judgment on IPS Officer's Anticipatory Bail Plea
The Vijayawada High Court on Monday reserved its orders regarding the anticipatory bail petition submitted by Bihar cadre IPS officer Sunil Kumar Naik. The court has adjourned the matter to April 6 after conducting a detailed hearing of arguments from both the prosecution and defense sides.
Court Directives and Rejections
Justice Venkata Jyotirmayi issued specific instructions to Naik, emphasizing his cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The officer has been directed to:
- Appear before the investigating officer whenever summoned.
- Provide his 24-hour mobile and WhatsApp contact details to the authorities.
Simultaneously, the court clarified that no coercive actions should be taken against Naik until further orders are issued. However, the court rejected Naik's plea for exemption from personal appearance and permission to attend proceedings virtually. The judge observed that granting such concessions to an accused individual could establish an undesirable precedent.
Background of the Case
The legal proceedings originate from a complaint lodged in July 2024 by former MP and current Andhra Pradesh assembly deputy speaker Raghuramakrishna Raju. The complaint alleges custodial torture by CID officials during Naik's tenure as DIG. During the hearing, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Ashwani Kumar, representing Naik, argued that due legal procedures were not adhered to during his arrest. They highlighted the absence of a warrant and the failure to inform local police authorities as key procedural lapses.
The High Court is anticipated to deliver its verdict on Naik's anticipatory bail application at the next scheduled hearing on April 6, marking a critical juncture in this high-profile case.
