The Indian Supreme Court has stayed an important directive issued by the Madhya Pradesh High Court that mandated the formation of a serious crime investigation supervision team in every district. As per the earlier order of the High Court, this team was to be headed by a senior IPS officer to supervise the investigation of all serious crimes.
The bench comprising Justices KV Vishwanathan and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh imposed the stay while hearing a plea by the State of Madhya Pradesh challenging the High Court direction. The Supreme Court has now asked the State to submit within three weeks a workable Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) which would serve the purpose of the High Court keeping in view the administrative limitations at the ground level.
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“The State of Madhya Pradesh is directed to submit the Standard Operating Procedure within three weeks without prejudice to their rights and contentions… and to ensure that the available manpower among senior level officers is adequately distributed and utilised,” — Supreme Court order
The case stems from a bail case in which the Madhya Pradesh High Court had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure that every investigation of serious crimes is supervised by a two-member team. This team was to consist of an experienced IPS officer and another officer not below the rank of sub-inspector. The investigating officer as well as the team were to be held accountable for any investigation lapses.
However, during the hearing in the Supreme Court, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Nachiketa Joshi, who appeared for the state, argued that while the state has no objection to the bail being granted, the supervision direction issued by the high court is "highly impractical".
The AAG highlighted data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which showed that 4,88,966 criminal cases were registered in Madhya Pradesh in 2022 alone, of which 38,116 cases were considered heinous or serious.
“There are only 63 IPS officers available at the Superintendent of Police level in the districts. Requiring them to supervise the investigation of every serious crime will hamper their other important responsibilities,” — AAG Nachiketa Joshi tells Supreme Court
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He further suggested that the job of supervision may be assigned to officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) or Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP). According to the state, this will serve the intent behind the High Court direction without affecting senior IPS officers.
Noting this submission, the Supreme Court remarked that the state’s suggestion “deserves consideration”.
The court has stayed the High Court direction till July 14, 2025 and the matter will be heard next on the same day.
“The impugned direction issued by the High Court is stayed till July 14, 2025,” — Supreme Court
Case Title – State of Madhya Pradesh v. Sunit @ Sumit Singh
Case No. – Special Leave Petition (Criminal) Diary No. 18819/2025