Rajasthan: The Rajasthan High Court has held senior IPS officer Pushpendra Singh Rathore guilty of contempt in a case concerning arrest after service of notice through WhatsApp, observing that the police action violated legally prescribed procedure and amounted to disregard of judicial directions.
Justice Praveer Bhatnagar directed Rathore to remain personally present before the court on April 6 for hearing on the quantum of punishment.
The order was passed while hearing a contempt petition filed by Ravi Meena.
Court Questions Arrest After WhatsApp Notice
The High Court expressed strong displeasure over the arrest procedure adopted in the case and observed that merely sending notice through WhatsApp does not satisfy legal requirements for service under criminal procedure.
The court stated that notice must be served through legally recognised modes such as personal delivery, affixation, or speed post.
It further said that if an accused responds to such notice, arrest should not be made without strong and valid reasons.
Bench Says Arrest Without Due Process Was Improper
The court observed that once compliance with notice is shown, police authorities are required to justify arrest based on clear necessity.
In the present case, the bench held that such grounds were not properly established.
It therefore treated the police action as improper and in violation of legal safeguards.
Case Linked to Anti-Corruption Bureau Investigation
According to petitioner’s counsel Mohit Khandelwal, the matter relates to a bribery case connected with Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation in which the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested the petitioner on February 1, 2023.
Before the arrest, the investigating officer had issued a notice on January 25, 2023 through WhatsApp asking the petitioner to appear on January 31.
Petitioner Sought Time, But Was Arrested
The petitioner responded to the notice and sought time, citing illness of his wife.
Despite this communication, police directly proceeded with arrest.
The petitioner argued that this violated Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires adherence to procedural safeguards before arrest in such circumstances.
Court Treats Action as Contempt
It was argued before the court that failure to follow mandatory arrest safeguards amounted to contempt of judicial guidelines.
After hearing both sides, the High Court agreed that the action taken by the investigating agency did not comply with established legal requirements.
ACB Defends Action, Says Petition Meant to Pressure Agency
The Anti-Corruption Bureau Rajasthan argued that notice had indeed been served and claimed that the accused adopted an evasive approach.
The agency also informed the court that the petitioner had previously approached both the High Court and the Supreme Court of India seeking quashing of the FIR but failed.
According to ACB, the contempt petition was filed only to create pressure on the investigating machinery.
Officer Summoned in Personal Capacity
After examining the material, the court summoned Rathore in his capacity as the then Additional Superintendent of Police of ACB.
He has now been directed to appear personally on April 6 when the court will consider punishment.
Currently Posted as SP Sirohi
- IPS Rathore is presently serving as Superintendent of Police in Sirohi.
- He was posted there in March 2026.
Career Background of Pushpendra Singh Rathore
Mr Rathore is a senior officer of the Rajasthan cadre who was promoted from the Rajasthan Police Service to IPS in September 2025.
Before his promotion, he served in several important policing assignments.
These include SP-II in the Anti-Corruption Bureau at Jaipur, Additional SP in Nagar Nigam Heritage Jaipur, and Deputy Superintendent of Police in Dudu.
He gained attention in Jaipur for strict traffic enforcement during his municipal policing tenure.
Rare Husband-Wife IPS Promotion
He and his wife Kamal Shekhawat became part of a rare husband-wife pair promoted simultaneously from Rajasthan Police Service to IPS in the same batch.
Fourth Generation Officer in Uniformed Service
Mr Rathore belongs to a family with a long tradition of uniformed service.
- His great-grandfather served as a colonel in the Bikaner State army.
- His grandfather later served as Inspector General in Rajasthan Police.
Decorated Sportsman and National Recognition
Apart from policing, Rathore is known as an accomplished golfer.
- He has won multiple gold medals in the World Police and Fire Games.
- He also received the ITBP Director General’s Commendation Roll and insignia for his role in organising the Fit India Mission 200 km walkathon in 2020.
Earlier BSF Service Included Border Deployment
Before recent state police assignments, he also served in the Border Security Force as Deputy Inspector General.
During his tenure, he was deployed at the international border in Bikaner and the Sir Creek region of Gujarat.
He is also credited with forming a specialised crocodile team for sea-border guarding.
Legal Outcome May Carry Administrative Significance
The contempt finding is likely to attract administrative attention because Rathore currently holds a district police chief posting.
The April 6 hearing will determine whether the court imposes punishment and what further legal consequences may follow.
