RTI Activist Moves Gujarat HC Over Delay in Surat Police Corruption Investigation

Surat | Gujarat — Serious questions have surfaced over an alleged 260-day delay in a corruption-related investigation involving Surat Police officials, with an RTI activist now moving the Gujarat High Court accusing senior officers of deliberately prolonging the probe to shield those involved.

RTI activist Sanjay Ezhava had initially filed a complaint before the Surat Police Commissioner seeking action over allegations that payments worth lakhs of rupees were allegedly cleared for towing crane services even during the Covid-19 lockdown period when the service itself remained suspended. The inquiry into the allegations was handed over to then Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Crime) Sharad Singhal, IPS.

However, according to the petitioner, the investigation remained pending for nearly 260 days despite clear Supreme Court and Gujarat Home Department guidelines mandating that corruption-related complaints involving cognizable offences must be acted upon within seven days through registration of seizure and further investigation.

Ezhava has alleged that the prolonged delay was intentionally orchestrated to protect then Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Sumbe and former Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Chauhan. The petition further claims that the extended investigation period allegedly enabled the creation of false evidence and amounted to a violation under IPC Section 166A.

“The law clearly prescribes a time-bound procedure in corruption-related complaints. Extending the inquiry for over eight months raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency,” sources connected to the case said.

Seeking legal action, the petitioner approached the Judicial Magistrate Court in Surat demanding registration of an FIR against the investigating officer and a court-monitored probe. However, the lower court rejected the plea. Subsequently, an appeal filed before the Sessions Court also failed to provide relief.

The petitioner has now challenged the Sessions Court order before the Gujarat High Court through Senior Advocate Vishal Dave. The petition argues that the Sessions Court judgment failed to address the central issue of why the investigation remained incomplete for 260 days despite mandatory timelines laid down under law.

The matter is expected to come up for hearing before the Gujarat High Court in the coming days, potentially opening a fresh legal battle over alleged procedural lapses and accountability within the police department.