'Strongly Deprecated': Meghalaya High Court Pulls Up Police For Registering FIR Under 'Appropriate Sections' Without Applying Mind
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The Meghalaya High Court has strongly deprecated the police practice of directing registration of FIRs under “appropriate sections” without first examining whether the complaint discloses the commission of a cognizable offence.
The Court observed that the police must apply their mind to the allegations, determine the appropriate offence and only thereafter take a decision regarding registration of an FIR.
Justice Revati Mohite Dere remarked that: “This practice to direct registration of FIRs 'under appropriate sections' is strongly deprecated. It is for the Police to first apply their mind, as to whether the complaint discloses the commission of any cognizable offence and only thereafter, after noting the sections, take appropriate decision thereon.”
Background:
The case arose from two identical complaints lodged by two NEHU law students against Professor Dr Ravi Kant Mishra. The complaints were forwarded to the police for registration “under appropriate section of law”, following which FIRs were registered under Section 126(2) of the BNS on May 6, 2026.
Dr Mishra approached the Meghalaya High Court seeking quashing of the FIRs. During the proceedings, the students stated that the complaints were made in an emotional outburst based on their misperceptions and expressed that they no longer wished to pursue them.
The Court found that the complaints did not disclose any cognizable offence warranting registration of an FIR. It strongly deprecated the practice of directing registration of FIRs under “appropriate sections” without first examining the allegations.
The Court noted that both complaints were identical and held that the police could not have registered two FIRs based on the same allegations. It directed the authorities to ensure that such a practice is not repeated.
The Court ultimately quashed the FIRs after noting that the parties had amicably settled the dispute and the two students had expressed their unwillingness to pursue the complaints.
The Court further directed that any future complaints by the two students concerning professors of the NEHU Law Faculty should first be placed before the concerned Superintendents of Police before being taken to their logical conclusion.
Case Name: Ravi kant v/s State of Meghalaya
Case No.: Crl. Petn. No. 91 of 2026
Date of Decision: 29.07.2026
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