Published on: 13 September, 2025 17:23 IST
In a strong judicial move, Additional Sessions Judge Mohit Agarwal of the Kaithal court ordered Inspector Rajesh Kumar, SHO of Badagudha police station in Sirsa, to be held in lockup for one hour. The action followed Kumar’s repeated failure to appear as a witness in a 2021 homicide case, despite multiple summons, warrants, and even a salary attachment order.
Kumar, who had served as the investigating officer in the case under Siwan police station, arrived in court at around 10:30 AM but was immediately taken into custody on Judge Agarwal’s verbal directions. He remained in the court lockup until 11:30 AM, reportedly sitting quietly with folded hands, before being produced for testimony. His statement was recorded and he was released shortly after. Prisoner Escort Incharge Suresh Kumar confirmed that the lockup procedure was carried out, with written orders arriving later in the day.
The underlying case concerns the 2021 murder of 25-year-old Manish, a combine harvester owner from Kakhedi village, who was killed with a sharp weapon while sleeping in a field hut during wheat harvesting. The FIR was lodged by Manish’s uncle, Rajbir Singh, and two police teams, including one led by then-Siwan SHO Kumar, were tasked with investigating. Kumar has continued as the investigating officer over the past four years.
Court records show Kumar had missed the last three to four hearings. Initial bailable warrants escalated into a non-bailable warrant issued on August 29, requiring his appearance by September 11. After he still failed to comply, the court directed the Kaithal SP to attach his salary and ensure his arrest. Once his posting in Sirsa was confirmed, authorities enforced the court’s order.
The trial itself has stretched across 48 hearing dates, forcing the victim’s family to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court for speedy disposal. On December 10, 2024, the High Court directed that the case be concluded by June 10, 2025. However, the matter was reassigned from Judge Vivek Yadav (on leave) to Judge Agarwal in June, further delaying progress.
The court’s disciplinary action has triggered a wave of online commentary on accountability within the police force. Advocate Prashant Umrao, in a widely circulated post on X (formerly Twitter), wrote: “Kaithal court sent SHO Inspector Rajesh Kumar to lockup for 1 hour. SHO was not appearing for testimony in a murder case… In front of increasing police thuggery, now only hope is from the judiciary.” The post, accompanied by an image from court, drew heavy engagement, reflecting public frustration over perceived impunity for errant officers.