Three Lucknow Police Personnel Suspended for Unauthorized High Court Entry
In a significant disciplinary action, the deputy commissioner of police for the West Zone in Lucknow suspended three police personnel on Monday. The officers, posted at the Kakori police station, were penalized for unlawfully entering the premises of the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench. Their unauthorized intrusion was part of an attempt to arrest a lawyer and his client involved in a case related to cow slaughter, sparking immediate outrage among the legal community present at the court.
Details of the Incident and Personnel Involved
The suspended policemen have been identified as sub-inspectors Usman Khan and Lakhan Singh, along with constable Pushpendra Singh. According to reports, they allegedly entered the high court campus without proper authorization. Once inside, they made a coordinated effort to detain advocate Gurfaan Siddiqui and his client, Amina Khatoon, while they were inside an advocate's chamber. This brazen move violated court protocols and raised serious concerns about police overreach.
Legal Complaint and Official Response
A written complaint was promptly filed by advocate Sajjad Husain, who stated that he intercepted the policemen inside the chamber and strongly objected to their actions. The incident was subsequently reported to the security registrar of the high court and the police outpost located within the court complex. Senior police officials emphasized that the allegations were of a grave nature, invoking Rule 17(1)(a) of the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Police Officers (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1991.
Assistant Commissioner of Police for Vibhutikhand, Vinay Dwivedi, confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the three accused policemen. They face charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 329(3) for criminal trespass
- Section 351(3) for criminal intimidation
- Section 352 for provocation with intent to cause a breach of the peace
Suspension and Consequences
During the suspension period, the three personnel will remain attached to the Reserve Police Lines. As per the rules, they will be entitled only to a subsistence allowance, subject to specific conditions. This disciplinary measure underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident, highlighting the importance of upholding legal sanctity and preventing unauthorized actions by law enforcement officers.
The case has drawn attention to the delicate balance between police duties and respect for judicial institutions, with ongoing investigations expected to shed further light on the motivations behind the unauthorized entry.
