IPS Officer Faces FIR for Alleged Illegal Detention of Nigerian National
In a significant development, an FIR has been registered against 2011-batch IPS officer Shankar Choudhary, currently posted with the Mizoram Police, for allegedly misusing his official authority to illegally detain a Nigerian man in 2023. The case, which has drawn attention to procedural lapses, was filed by the Delhi Police Vigilance Unit on Thursday following a detailed enquiry ordered last year.
Details of the Alleged Illegal Detention
The FIR outlines that the incident dates back to November 2023 when Choudhary, along with Delhi Police staff, allegedly entered the residence of the Nigerian national, Harrison, in Delhi's Dabri area at 3:34 AM. The team reportedly left at 5:40 AM, taking a locker and two bags with them. Critically, the seized items were not recorded in the police records of either Delhi or Mizoram Police, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability.
CCTV footage cited in the FIR shows Harrison being taken from his residence by Choudhary's team. He was then allegedly kept at Mizoram House from November 26 to 29, 2023, without any arrest memo, court production, or legal order during this period. Statements from Delhi Police staff have confirmed that Harrison was escorted under Choudhary's direct instructions, further implicating the officer in the alleged misconduct.
Legal Charges and Extortion Allegations
The FIR has been filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 166: Public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury
- Section 341: Wrongful restraint
- Section 342: Punishment for wrongful confinement
- Section 409: Criminal breach of trust by a public servant
Additionally, the case relates to two FIRs registered in Mizoram in 2023 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, involving an inter-state drug smuggling racket. A disturbing aspect of the case involves extortion allegations; a PCR call was received from a woman in Nigeria on November 29, 2023, claiming that her brother had been arrested by Mizoram Police and that Rs 35 lakh was taken for his release, with a further demand of Rs 20 lakh. The woman allegedly named Choudhary as the officer involved in both the detention and extortion.
Enquiry Findings and Procedural Violations
On July 22 last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed the Delhi Police to investigate the allegations against Choudhary. The Delhi Police Commissioner subsequently appointed an enquiry officer to ascertain the facts. The findings reveal several procedural violations:
- Choudhary stayed in Delhi after his approved leave ended on November 20, 2023, and personally led raids in the Dabri-Bindapur area between November 21 and 29 without any legal permission.
- Statements from Delhi Police staff confirm that the raids were conducted under his direct supervision, with Mizoram Police records indicating he decided on his own to stay back and conduct operations without approval from any authority.
- There was no written or formal communication between Mizoram Police and Delhi Police authorizing these raids, and no official diary entry, written order, or wireless message exists in Delhi Police records to sanction these actions.
The FIR also highlights that two head constables, though officially posted elsewhere, acted as Choudhary's driver and assistant without written orders. Their involvement, deemed beyond official duties, amounts to serious misconduct, for which departmental enquiries will be conducted.
Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Indian Express reached out to Choudhary via text messages seeking comment, but a response is still awaited. The case underscores the importance of adherence to legal procedures in law enforcement operations and highlights the vigilance mechanisms in place to address alleged abuses of power. As the investigation progresses, further details are expected to emerge regarding the extent of the misconduct and any disciplinary actions to be taken.
