Gujarat HC rebukes cop for refusing mother to meet 4-yr-old girl in marital dispute case

Gujarat High Court on Monday reprimanded Chandkheda police inspector for being ‘inhumane’ and ‘insensitive’, after the cop refused a 4-year-old girl from meeting her mother over a case of matrimonial dispute.

Justice Nirzar S Desai criticised the PI for his inhumane behaviour and insensitivity, and at one point directed the state government to suspend him, transfer him, or place him in a non-executive post. The high court remarked that “such police officers are a threat to society and are unfit to interact with the general public".

Gujarat HC  raised serious concerns about the PI’s inhumane attitude, questioning, “How can a mother be stopped from meeting her innocent four-year-old daughter? What about the life of the child and the mother? Has the police now started interfering in people’s personal lives?” The court further criticised the police, saying, “When it comes to complaints of just ₹5,000–25,000, the police often refuse to register FIRs. But in such cases, they ask hundreds of questions.”

The court emphasised that if the police behave in this manner, society will not remain safe. It further reprimanded the state, saying, “You have placed your trust in the wrong people.” 

Justice Desai questioned the government on whether such officers should be retained in police stations at all and asked if they would consider transferring the PI to a non-executive post. If not, the court warned that it would be compelled to issue a serious order after careful consideration.

The government appealed to the court, saying, “Sir, the PI’s career will be ruined,” to which the court responded, “That in itself is his punishment. The behaviour shown by the PI is in no way justifiable or acceptable.”

The government side tried to point out that the case was being investigated by a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), and that the PI was allegedly unaware of the developments. However, the high court asserted that since the PI is in charge of the police station, he should have been aware of the matter.

The court granted a stay in the case, where the husband had filed a complaint against his wife, alleging a theft of ₹25 lakh, and scheduled further hearings for the coming days.