The Supreme Court on Friday exonerated Bharti Arora, a former Haryana-cadre IPS officer, from criminal proceedings stemming from her inquiry into a 2005 case under the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). Arora, who had taken voluntary retirement in 2021, was vindicated after a three-judge bench led by Justice BR Gavai quashed the proceedings initiated against her.
The case revolved around the arrest of Ran Singh with 8.7 kg of opium in January 2005 during Arora’s tenure as Superintendent of Police, Kurukshetra. Upon investigation, Arora’s inquiry concluded that Ran Singh was falsely implicated. Based on her findings, the police sought Ran Singh’s discharge. However, the Special Judge in Kurukshetra convicted Ran Singh and acquitted three individuals alleged to have planted the opium.
The judge issued a show-cause notice to Arora and other officers in February 2007, citing Section 58 of the NDPS Act, asking why proceedings should not be initiated against them. This notice, along with subsequent orders, was challenged by Arora in court.
The Supreme Court Bench, which also included Justice PK Mishra and Justice KV Viswanathan, criticised the Special Judge’s handling of the case, describing it as “predetermined” and a violation of natural justice. “The order reflects a total non-application of mind,” the court observed, as it quashed the 2007 notice and subsequent proceedings, including an order issued in May 2008 that had remained sealed for years.
The case had seen prolonged litigation, with the Punjab and Haryana High Court earlier directing the Special Court in Kurukshetra to open and pronounce the sealed order. However, the Supreme Court stayed the directive, and the sealed order was finally reviewed in October 2024 during the apex court’s proceedings.
Bharti Arora, an IPS officer from the 1998 batch, was known for her exceptional service record, earning the Presidential Medal and receiving outstanding grades in her performance reviews. Represented by senior advocate ANS Nadkarni, she has now been cleared of all charges with the Supreme Court ruling in her favor. The Haryana government was represented by Senior Additional Advocate General Lokesh Sinhal.
