New Delhi, September 23 – A heated exchange unfolded in the Supreme Court today as Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan sharply criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for failing to arrest two Madhya Pradesh policemen accused in the alleged custodial killing of 26-year-old Deva Pardhi. The bench expressed open disbelief at the agency’s explanation, warning that continued inaction could invite contempt charges.
Background
The case stems from Deva Pardhi’s death earlier this year while in police custody after being arrested for theft. His mother, Hansura Bai, alleges that her son was brutally tortured. The state police claimed a sudden heart attack, but in May the Supreme Court, citing a possible cover-up, transferred the probe to the CBI. It also ordered the arrest of the accused officers within a month and demanded a full investigation within ninety days.
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Deva’s uncle and sole eyewitness, Gangaram Pardhi, remains in jail on separate charges that the family says were filed only to intimidate him. His safety has become a major concern after reports of assaults inside prison.
Court’s Observations
The hearing turned tense when the CBI admitted that despite raids, digital surveillance and non-bailable warrants, the two prime suspects-officers Sanjiv Singh Malviya and Uttam Singh Kushwaha- have not been found.
Justice Nagarathna was blunt: “This can’t go on. You are pleading helplessness. Please don’t. It feels like protection in the garb of helplessness.” She reminded the agency that it “swoops down and arrests within seconds in other cases” yet somehow cannot trace “its own people.”
Justice Mahadevan called the situation “very unfortunate,” adding that the Court would “not spare” the CBI if anything happened to Gangaram Pardhi. The bench also hinted that shielding of the accused might be occurring, noting, “Absconding means protecting- that’s what it looks like.”
Petitioner’s counsel alleged that prison officials ignored repeated attacks on Gangaram and that CBI officers even pressured the family to withdraw the contempt plea.
Decision
After a lengthy back-and-forth, the Court ordered the CBI to submit a detailed status report by Thursday outlining every step taken to locate and arrest the two officers. It directed investigating officers, the Chief Secretary, and the CBI Director to file sworn affidavits.
The bench warned that contempt charges would follow if arrests were not made within two days, though it left a small window: “If you arrest them now, we may consider dropping the contempt,” Justice Nagarathna said before adjourning the matter to September 25.
Case: Hansura Bai v. Hanuman Prasad Meena & Others – MP Custodial Death Contempt
Case No.: Contempt Petition (Civil) No. 594 of 2025
Petitioner: Hansura Bai, mother of the deceased.
Respondents: State officials including senior police officers; CBI directed to investigate.