'Seek Instructions From Police Stations Promptly': DG Prosecution Issues Pan-UP Directive To Prosecutors After High Court Order

In a move aimed at overhauling the coordination between the police and prosecution machinery across UP, the Director General (Prosecution) in Uttar Pradesh last month issued a strict circular directing all Prosecuting Officers to ensure that instructions from police stations reach trial courts without delay. The directive was issued following an intervention by the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) which took notice of the administrative lethargy in a case which resulted in the delaying of a surrender application of the accused. Briefly put, the matter reached the High Court after the applicants, who claimed false implication in a criminal case, submitted that they were facing repeated hurdles in the trial court. Essentially, they had moved a surrender application before the FTC/Senior Division, Sultanpur, on November 7, 2025. The trial court called for a report from the concerned police station and fixed the matter for November 14, 2025. However, on the fixed date, no report was furnished by the concerned Station House Officer (SHO). When the matter was taken up again on November 17, 2025, the report was still missing and the Prosecuting Officer merely requested another date. Before the HC, the police claimed that the application was never received and the prosecution sought routine adjournments. In this view of the matter, Justice Rajeev Singh issued a strict order on November 18, 2025. The single judge summoned the Superintendent of Police, Amethi, via video conferencing to explain why appropriate instructions were not furnished despite clear orders from the trial court. During the proceedings, the SP admitted to "negligence on the part of the officials" and informed the bench that an inquiry had been ordered against the erring officers. Noting that this lack of coordination was not an isolated incident, the HC explicitly directed the Director General, Prosecution, to ensure that every prosecuting officer deputed in the trial Courts ensures that the relevant instructions be furnished to the Court promptly after taking the same from the concerned Police Station. Acting swiftly on the High Court's order, the bench was informed December 4 that a circular dated November 26 had been issued by Dipesh Juneja, Director General of Prosecution, Uttar Pradesh, in this regard. Addressed to all Joint Directors of Prosecution across the state's districts, the circular strictly mandates that Prosecuting Officers appearing in trial courts must actively obtain the necessary instructions (akhya) from concerned police stations regarding orders passed by the courts. The circular adds that the instructions must be presented to the Court "promptly in every situation" (pratyek dasha mein tatparata se). Noting that the necessary circular had been issued and that action was being taken against the negligent officials in the Amethi case, the HC expressed satisfaction with the compliance and consigned the matter to record.

'Seek Instructions From Police Stations Promptly': DG Prosecution Issues Pan-UP Directive To Prosecutors After High Court Order

Sparsh Upadhyay

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