Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh Police over alleged illegal detention and repeated failures to provide police station CCTV footage. The Court called the situation surrounding civil liberties in Uttar Pradesh “shameful” and said that violations of citizens’ fundamental rights appeared to have become routine.
It also ordered the immediate release of a man allegedly detained unlawfully and directed the State Government to pay ₹20,000 in legal costs.
Allahabad High Court Criticises UP Police Illegal Detention
A Division Bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Achal Sachdev made these strong observations in an order dated November 3, 2026.
The Bench was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by a daughter who alleged that her father had been illegally detained by the police for two days before his formal arrest.
The Court expressed concern over repeated cases in which police stations failed to produce CCTV footage when required during judicial proceedings.
The Bench observed that the Uttar Pradesh Police appeared to have little regard for the fundamental rights and civil liberties of citizens.
UP Police Illegal Detention Case: Man Allegedly Detained For Two Days Before Formal Arrest
According to the petition, the woman’s father was allegedly taken into police custody on September 5, 2026. However, his formal arrest was recorded only on September 7, 2026.
The family questioned the gap between the alleged detention and the official arrest record.
To examine the allegations, the Allahabad High Court had earlier directed the authorities to produce CCTV recordings from the Nangal Police Station in Bijnor district. The Court wanted footage covering September 5, 2026, at 1 PM to September 7, 2026, at 10 AM.
Police Blame Thunderstorm For CCTV Camera Failure
When the matter came before the Court, the State informed the Bench that the required CCTV footage was unavailable. The police relied on a general diary entry dated September 5, 2026, which stated that a thunderstorm had affected the CCTV system.
According to the explanation, rainwater entered through a LAN cable and caused the CCTV system to stop working. However, the Court was not satisfied with this explanation.
The Bench said that CCTV malfunction could not be accepted as an excuse in a case involving allegations of unlawful detention.
UP Police Illegal Detention Case: Court Says CCTV Footage Cannot Be Withheld
The High Court also highlighted the repeated unavailability of CCTV recordings in cases where the judiciary had specifically requested them.
The Bench observed that similar explanations were frequently being given whenever police CCTV footage was demanded.
The Court further stated that such an explanation was enough to accept the petitioners’ claim of unlawful detention in the circumstances of the case. It also indicated that CCTV footage appeared to have been deliberately withheld to hide the truth.
Allahabad High Court Takes Action Against Police Station SHO
The Court specifically expressed its displeasure with Annu Kumari, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Nangal Police Station in Bijnor district.
The Bench observed that the SHO had deliberately failed to provide the CCTV footage needed to decide the case.
The Court directed that its displeasure should be recorded in her service records. It also asked the State Government to consider whether she should continue in her present position.
UP Police Illegal Detention: Court Orders Immediate Release And ₹20,000 Costs
After considering the matter, the Allahabad High Court allowed the habeas corpus petition. The Bench directed the authorities to release the detained man immediately, provided he was not wanted in any other case.
The Court also ordered the State Government to pay ₹20,000 to the petitioners as litigation costs. The amount was directed to be paid within seven days from November 3, 2026. The petitioners were given the liberty to approach the Court again if the payment was not made within the specified period.
FAQs
The police claimed that a thunderstorm on September 5, 2026, caused water to enter through a LAN cable and damaged the CCTV system at Nangal Police Station in Bijnor district. The High Court rejected this explanation as an acceptable excuse in the unlawful detention case.
The Allahabad High Court criticised the UP Police over alleged unlawful detention and repeated failures to produce police station CCTV footage. The Court expressed concern about violations of citizens’ fundamental rights and civil liberties.
The Court ordered the immediate release of the detained man if he was not wanted in another case. It also directed the State Government to pay ₹20,000 in costs and ordered that its displeasure against SHO Annu Kumari be recorded in her service records.
