In a significant order reinforcing police accountability, the Allahabad High Court has paved the way for a full-fledged Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations that a young man was falsely branded a criminal and sent to jail through fabricated cases of motorcycle theft and robbery. Acting on the court’s directions, the Uttar Pradesh government has formally transferred the investigation to the CBI, bringing 33 police officers and personnel under the ambit of scrutiny.
The case, dating back to 2018, centres on allegations that the police used every possible coercive method—ranging from illegal detention to multiple false prosecutions—to implicate the petitioner’s family after a complaint was lodged against them. The High Court’s order is being seen as a stern response to what it described as a prima facie pattern of abuse of authority.
Police “used every method”, petition alleged
According to the petition filed by Sumit Kumar, the police adopted extreme measures to arrest and pressurise his family. Arrest warrants were obtained against his brother, attachment proceedings were initiated, and sustained pressure was exerted on relatives. Sumit had approached the High Court seeking an independent probe, alleging that the local police machinery was acting in concert to shield its own personnel.
The High Court had initially ordered a CBI probe on September 6, 2022. The state government challenged the order before the Supreme Court, which sent the matter back to the High Court for reconsideration. During subsequent hearings, the High Court sought a detailed response from the state’s principal secretary by January 30. On January 22, 2026, the court rejected the state’s plea and reiterated its direction to transfer the investigation to the CBI.
In compliance, the additional chief secretary (home) filed an affidavit before the High Court on January 29, confirming that the probe had been formally handed over to the central agency.
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Role of National SC Commission
The matter had earlier drawn the attention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, which ordered an inquiry after receiving a complaint from Sumit Kumar. Acting on the Commission’s directions, a Special Investigation Team constituted by the police headquarters in Lucknow conducted a detailed probe.
The SIT reportedly found 33 police officers and personnel, including members of the Mathura Special Operations Group (SOG), guilty of misconduct. The Commission recommended criminal and departmental action against the erring officials under provisions of the SC/ST Act. However, no FIR was registered at that stage, as the accused themselves belonged to the police force.
Allegations of retaliation
Sumit Kumar has alleged that following his complaint, the police resorted to retaliatory action to force him into submission. A case was registered at Rasulpur police station in Firozabad, accusing Sumit and his elder brother Dipendra of abducting a minor girl and subjecting her to gang rape. The family maintains that the case was entirely fabricated, registered solely to pressure them into withdrawing their complaint.
The High Court has now directed that this case, too, be investigated by the CBI, expanding the scope of the probe beyond the original Mathura incident.
How the controversy began
As per official records, in 2018, Punit Kumar—brother of petitioner Sumit Kumar and a resident of Birjapur village under Highway police station limits—was allegedly picked up illegally by the Mathura SOG. He was reportedly kept in unlawful custody for two days and subjected to physical assault. Subsequently, with the assistance of Govind Nagar police station, he was shown arrested in five cases of theft and robbery and sent to jail.
Sumit Kumar later approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes in Lucknow, alleging that his brother had been deliberately framed. The Commission’s intervention led to the SIT inquiry that found widespread lapses and misconduct on the part of police personnel.
List of officers under probe
The affidavit filed in the High Court names a long list of officers and personnel who will now face investigation. These include then additional superintendent of police Rajesh Sonkar; then circle officers Alok Dubey, Preeti Singh and Vijay Shankar Mishra; inspectors Shiv Pratap Singh, Rampal Singh and Harvendra Mishra; sub-inspectors Avdhesh Tripathi, Nitin Kasana, Pradeep Kumar, Anil Kumar, Rajveer Singh, Dharamveer Kardam, Ram Phool Sharma, Sultan Singh, Vipin Bhati; and several head constables and constables posted across Mathura, Agra and Firozabad at various times.
CBI to examine entire chain
The state government has formally written to the CBI, asking it to register and investigate the Firozabad case—Crime No. 108/2022—under Sections 363, 366, 376D, 120B of the IPC and provisions of the POCSO Act. The Director General of Police has been directed to ensure that all records related to the case and connected matters are transferred to the CBI without delay.
Police commissioners in Agra, along with senior police officials in Mathura and Firozabad, have also been instructed to hand over all relevant files to the central agency.
Test of accountability
With the CBI now set to examine arrests, custodial conduct, registration of cases and alleged retaliatory prosecutions, the case is being viewed as a crucial test of institutional accountability. The outcome of the probe is expected to have wider implications for how allegations of false implication and misuse of police powers are addressed in the state.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
