Lucknow: A petition has been filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting alleged irregularities in the handling of personal belongings seized during the arrest of former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur. Thakur is currently lodged in a jail in connection with a fraud case.
The plea, submitted by Thakur’s counsel Bhimsen Rao before CJM Manju Kumari, contends that the police procedure followed during and after the seizure of the officer’s personal items was questionable.
Items Seized During Arrest
Thakur was arrested on the night of December 9–10, 2025, from a train in Shahjahanpur, according to advocate Praveen Dwivedi, representing the petitioner.
At the time of his arrest, Thakur was reportedly carrying:
- ₹42,000 in cash
- Two Android mobile phones
- A laptop
- Clothes
- A tube of toothpaste
All items were seized by the Deoria Kotwali police, forming the basis of the current legal challenge.
Allegations of Missing Cash and Tampering
The petition alleges that out of the total cash seized, only ₹7,208 was returned to Thakur.
Additionally, it claims that one of the mobile phones, which was PIN-locked at the time of arrest, was found unlocked when returned, raising serious concerns about possible tampering.
Even minor items, such as the toothpaste, were reportedly not fully returned, which the counsel argues raises questions about the safety and integrity of the seized belongings.
Privacy and Legal Concerns
The petition emphasizes that the unlocking of the mobile phone is particularly serious, as it was linked to UPI and other digital services, potentially involving privacy violations and breaches of legal procedure.
The police have not yet responded to the allegations, officials said.
Court Orders Police Report
The CJM court has directed the Kotwali Sadar police to submit a report on the matter. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 23, 2026, to examine the findings and consider the petitioner’s claims.
Significance of the Case
- Raises questions about procedural integrity during police seizures.
- Highlights potential privacy violations linked to digital financial services.
- The case tests police accountability and adherence to legal protocols during arrests.
Could have implications for the handling of personal property in custody cases, especially for public servants and officials.
