Banda: The corruption case involving dismissed 2014-batch IPS officer Manilal Patidar saw a two-hour hearing at the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption in Banda on Thursday. Patidar did not appear before the court and an exemption from personal appearance was filed on his behalf.
Co-accused Brahmdatt and Devendra Shukla appeared before the court, while cross-examination of the complainant side continued for around two hours. The cross-examination could not be completed, so the proceedings will continue at the next hearing. The court has fixed October 26, 2026, for the next hearing.
Cross-Examination Continues in Banda Court
The proceedings took place at the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption at the divisional headquarters in Banda.
During Thursday’s hearing, the complainant side faced around two hours of cross-examination. However, the process remained incomplete, making another hearing necessary.
Manilal Patidar was not present in court. His side submitted an application seeking exemption from personal appearance for the hearing.
Meanwhile, Brahmdatt and Devendra Shukla appeared before the court as the judicial proceedings moved forward.
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Case Linked to Mahoba Crusher Businessman
The case dates back to events surrounding the death of Mahoba-based crusher businessman Indrakant Tripathi in September 2020.
At the time, Manilal Patidar was serving as Superintendent of Police in Mahoba. Tripathi had made allegations against Patidar, including a demand for ₹6 lakh every month and threats to his life.
Tripathi circulated a video on September 7, 2020, in which he allegedly spoke about the demand and expressed concerns about his safety. The following day, September 8, he suffered a gunshot injury and was admitted to hospital.
He died during treatment on September 13, 2020.
Court records also reflect the allegations concerning the monthly ₹6-lakh demand and threats made against Tripathi. However, these remain matters connected with the prosecution case and judicial proceedings.
FIR Filed After Tripathi’s Death
Following Tripathi’s death, his brother Ravikant Tripathi filed a complaint that led to an FIR against Manilal Patidar and other police personnel.
Court records identify the accused in the case as including Patidar, then Kabrai police station SHO Devendra Shukla, Suresh Soni, Brahmdatt and other police personnel. The FIR was registered on September 11, 2020, according to court records.
The case included allegations relating to corruption, threats and other offences. A separate corruption-related case was subsequently registered on July 22, 2021, according to the information provided for the present proceedings.
Proceedings Shifted From Lucknow to Banda
The case was initially heard at the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption in Lucknow.
As part of the judicial process, the matter was later transferred to the Special Court for Prevention of Corruption in Banda, where the current proceedings are taking place.
Recent hearings have continued with the examination and cross-examination of witnesses. A previous 2026 report also noted that several witnesses had been summoned in proceedings involving Patidar and other accused.
The transfer to Banda brought the proceedings to the divisional headquarters closer to the district connected with the present stage of the case.
Patidar Remains Absent From Thursday’s Hearing
The former IPS officer did not appear personally before the court on Thursday. His legal side submitted an application seeking exemption from attendance.
The absence did not stop the proceedings. Cross-examination of the complainant side continued for nearly two hours, but the court could not complete it during the hearing.
Brahmdatt and Devendra Shukla, however, appeared before the court.
The continuation of cross-examination means that the court will hear the remaining part of the proceedings at a subsequent date.
Next Hearing on October 26
The Special Court for Prevention of Corruption has fixed October 26 as the next date of hearing.
The next proceedings are expected to continue the cross-examination that remained incomplete on Thursday.
The case remains connected to the sequence of events that followed the allegations made by Indrakant Tripathi in 2020 and his subsequent death. Judicial proceedings concerning the corruption allegations and other aspects of the case have continued for several years.
Why the Case Remains Significant
The Manilal Patidar case has remained closely watched because it involves allegations of corruption against a senior police officer and questions surrounding the circumstances leading up to the death of a businessman.
For the judicial process, the ongoing examination and cross-examination of witnesses remain important steps before the court reaches conclusions on the allegations.
The latest hearing shows that the proceedings are continuing in Banda, with the complainant-side cross-examination still incomplete. The October 26 hearing will determine the next stage of the ongoing judicial process.
