High Court Questions IPS Officer on Surrender

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday heard the anticipatory bail petition filed by IPS officer Sunil Kumar Naik. During the hearing, the court made strong observations, stating that anticipatory bail should not become a shield for an officer facing serious allegations of custodial torture involving a Member of Parliament. The court directly asked the petitioner when he intended to surrender before the authorities.

The High Court observed that allegations of custodial torture against a public representative are extremely serious in a democratic system. It remarked that a senior IPS officer should have exercised restraint and avoided involvement in such incidents. The court further noted that Sunil Kumar Naik appeared to have prior knowledge of the alleged harassment of the MP and prima facie seemed to have played a direct or indirect role in the matter.

The court suggested that the officer voluntarily surrender before the police and decide whether to continue pursuing anticipatory bail or choose the surrender route. Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that he would consult his client and communicate the next course of action. The High Court postponed the hearing to Friday without delivering a final decision on the anticipatory bail plea.