The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the trial against a Uttar Pradesh police officer in connection with a case dating back to 1989. The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan issued the stay, noting that the prosecution had not obtained the requisite sanction as required under the law.
Background of the Case
The case pertains to an alleged incident involving the police officer during the tenure of the then Uttar Pradesh government. The trial court had earlier framed charges against the officer, prompting him to approach the Supreme Court challenging the proceedings.
Legal Arguments
The counsel for the petitioner argued that the prosecution was initiated without the mandatory sanction from the competent authority, which is a prerequisite for prosecuting public servants. The Supreme Court agreed with this contention and stayed the trial until further orders.
The court also issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant, seeking their responses within four weeks. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing after the responses are filed.
This stay provides temporary relief to the police officer, who has been battling the case for over three decades. The decision underscores the importance of procedural safeguards in criminal prosecutions against public servants.
