The Delhi High Court's corridors were unusually tense as Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri delivered a thorough ruling in a neighborhood dispute that has escalated into serious criminal charges. Due to accusations of assault, intimidation, and caste-based abuse, the case involving a senior police officer and his family has been closely monitored.
Background
The appeals were filed by SK Singh, then posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Communication), his wife Manju Singh, and their driver Sandeep Kumar Dahiya. They had challenged an order of the Rohini trial court which took cognisance of offences arising from a July 2021 incident at Kingsway Camp, Delhi.
According to the prosecution, a dispute broke out over construction work being carried out at the complainant’s residence. What began as an argument allegedly escalated into abuse, threats and physical violence. The complainant, daughter of an Assistant Sub-Inspector, claimed she was hit on the head with a bat, abused using caste-related slurs, and threatened with eviction and worse. An FIR was registered under various sections of the IPC and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. A cross-FIR was also lodged by Manju Singh, blaming the complainant’s family.
The appellants argued that they were falsely implicated, that allegations were exaggerated through later statements, and that caste-related claims were introduced belatedly. They also contended that SK Singh was acting in discharge of official duty and that mandatory sanction had not been obtained.
Court’s Observations
Justice Ohri, after hearing all sides, reminded that the High Court’s power to quash criminal proceedings is limited.
“At the stage of cognisance, the court is not expected to weigh evidence like a trial court,” the bench observed, adding that contradictions or improvements in statements are matters to be tested during trial.
The court noted that the FIR and subsequent statements attributed specific roles to each accused. While Manju Singh was alleged to have struck the complainant with a bat, SK Singh was accused of threatening the family, blocking their exit and handing over the bat. Allegations against the driver emerged in later statements. CCTV footage and mobile recordings were also part of the investigation record.
Importantly, the judge said that whether offences under the SC/ST Act are ultimately made out, or whether certain charges survive, will be examined at the stage of framing charges.
“Cognisance is taken of the offence, not the offender,” the court remarked, stressing that prima facie material existed to allow the trial to proceed.
Decision
Finding no legal infirmity in the trial court’s order, the High Court dismissed all appeals and refused to quash the FIR. The bench held that the case does not fall within the rare category where criminal proceedings should be halted at the threshold.
All questions on credibility, improvements in statements and applicability of specific offences were left open for the trial court to decide in accordance with law.
Case Title: SK Singh vs State of NCT of Delhi & Anr