The case is more than four decades old. The trial court delivered its verdict in 1982 in the 1981 murder case of a police officer in Uttar Pradesh. Bhairon Singh was one of the accused found guilty. Forty-two years later, in 2024, the Allahabad High Court overturned the trial court’s decision, acquitting Bhairon Singh, the sole surviving accused. The state of Uttar Pradesh appealed against the High Court’s decision to the Supreme Court. Following the November 11th order, the case was heard on December 2, 2025.
Surprising situation unfolded when the hearing on the state’s appeal began before a Supreme Court bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N. Koteshwar Singh. The judges noted that the police officer and the lawyer representing the Uttar Pradesh government were unaware of even the basic details of the acquitted man’s criminal record. The court stated, “However, we are not commenting further on such behavior at this time and will consider it later.”
The Supreme Court bench expressed surprise that even the state’s lawyer was unaware. When asked to provide information about the defendant’s past record, he reportedly admitted he would need to seek instructions.
Expressing its disapproval, the bench stated that it was unclear how the state could file an appeal without basic information about the defendant’s past record or the outcome of previous cases.
The court also stated that this incident highlights a deeper problem within the police system, where a careless attitude is adopted in court matters. The judges noted that even the Sub-Ianspector present in court was unable to answer any such questions, demonstrating a lack of preparation. The court stated that if this level of carelessness exists before this court, it is not difficult to understand the response and behavior of these police officers in delivering justice at the ground level.
Advocate on Record Lubna Naaz appeared on behalf of the defendant. She stated that she had been briefed by the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee to represent the defendant. While Advocate on Record Akshay Amritanshu and lawyers Drishti Rawal, Abhay Nair, Sarthak Srivastava, and Mayur Goyal appeared on behalf of the State of Uttar Pradesh and the UP Police.
The next hearing in this case will be held on February 25, 2026. The Court has directed that the records of the lower courts be summoned (sent to the Supreme Court) and that the State Government should obtain complete instructions on all aspects of the case by then.
