The Supreme Court on Thursday objected to the Uttar Pradesh Police filing multiple criminal cases against gangster Anurag Dubey even in cases wherein the allegations were civil in nature [Anurag Dubey Alias Dabban v State of Uttar Pradesh and ors]..A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said that the police would have to be sensitised and it would not hesitate to pass adverse orders against the State police force.In response to the police contention that Dubey was not appearing before the concerned investigating officer, Justice Kant today remarked,"He is not appearing probably because he knows UP police will slap another case on him. How many will you? You tell your DGP we can pass strong order. Even for property bought through registered sale deed you are saying land grabbing? Is this a civil or criminal matter? Police are assuming powers of civil court; they need to be sensitised. Nowadays everything is digital who sends only letter (of summons)?".The Bench was hearing Dubey's appeal against an August 13 order of the Allahabad High Court refusing to quash an extortion case against him.The Supreme Court had in October upheld this aspect of the High Court order, but issued notice on the issue of grant of anticipatory bail.It had also granted Dubey interim protection from arrest in the matter.The Court on Thursday extended this protection till the next date of hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2025.Dubey was asked to keep his mobile phone switched on at all times and was also asked to cooperate with the probe."He cannot be taken into custody in any circumstances for any case without leave of this court; interim bail to continue," the top court said.
