The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently expressed shock over the Punjab Police’s failure to conclude investigations in around 79,000 first information reports (FIRs) within the statutory time period [Saraj v. State of Punjab and Another].Justice Sandeep Moudgil asked the State Director General of Police DGP) to submit an action plan on completing investigation in the cases.“Shocked at the staggering figure of 79,000 FIRs still awaiting logical conclusion in the FIRs despite lapse of statutory period, State is called upon to submit an Action Plan within a period of two weeks, which shall depict the date of FIR, the time prescribed under the Court for the completion of investigation and the proposed time frame to conclude the same.”.The Court was hearing an application seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to an accused in an attempt to murder case. The plea had been withdrawn in September 2024 after the police assured the Court that it would conclude the probe within one month. Since the police failed to conclude investigation in the case, the victim approached the Court seeking revival of his plea..Taking note of delay in investigation, the Court last month had directed the DGP to provide details of all FIRs pending within the State of Punjab where investigations have not been completed within the prescribed statutory period.In response, Additional Advocate General ADS Sukhija on January 8 told the Court that 79,000 FIRs are pending where the stipulated period for submitting the final report has already expired.The Court then called for an action plan to conclude the investigations. It will hear the matter on January 30..Advocate Beant Singh represented the petitioner..[Read Order]
