High Court Questions Punjab Police’s Failure to Arrest Accused Even After Four Years

Chandigarh – The Punjab & Haryana High Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Punjab Police over its failure to arrest Varinder Pal Singh, alias VP Singh, alias VP Handa, even four years after an FIR was registered against him in Ferozepur district. The court has questioned the efficiency of the police force and has summoned Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) and Home Secretary to appear in person on February 11, 2025.

The case pertains to an FIR lodged in Ferozepur, in which the accused has remained untraceable despite multiple assurances from the police about his imminent arrest. During a hearing, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Saumya Mishra submitted an affidavit stating that the police had taken several actions, including freezing three bank accounts of the accused and confiscating approximately four acres of his land (31 kanals, 2 marlas, and 3 sarsai). Additionally, a “Hue and Cry” notice has been published in newspapers, and search operations are ongoing.

The state’s counsel assured the court that the accused would be arrested soon. However, the bench, visibly displeased, pointed out that similar commitments had been made on November 13, December 9, and December 16, 2024, yet no concrete action had been taken. The court emphasized that the accused’s anticipatory bail applications had already been rejected by the district court, High Court, and even the Supreme Court, yet Punjab Police had failed to detain him.

Criticizing the law enforcement’s inefficiency, the High Court remarked that either the police officials were reluctant to perform their duty or were simply incapable of apprehending the accused. The court’s directive for the DGP and Home Secretary to appear in person reflects the seriousness of the matter, putting Punjab Police under further scrutiny.