Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has put on hold the criminal trial proceedings against a Uttar Pradesh police officer in a case that has been pending since 1989, observing that no prosecution witness has been examined in over three decades.
A Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Vijay Bishnoi issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday, April 20, and stayed further proceedings in the matter. The Court indicated that it may consider quashing the case, noting the extraordinary delay.
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“Given that nearly 35 years have passed, we are inclined to quash the proceedings on this ground alone,” the Bench observed, while clarifying that it would hear the State before passing a final order. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on April 29, 2026. The Court also added the State of Uttarakhand as a respondent through its Principal Secretary, Home Department.
Five accused Involved
The case involves five accused persons. Two of them have died during the course of the proceedings, while two others have already been acquitted after the prosecution failed to present any witnesses for recording evidence, the Court noted.
The petitioner, police officer Kailash Chandra Kapri, has challenged a February 23, 2026 order of the Allahabad High Court, which had refused to stay or quash the criminal proceedings.
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He is facing trial for offences under Sections 147, 323, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 120 of the Railways Act. The case was originally registered in 1989 at GRP Rambagh Police Station in Prayagraj and remains pending before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Railways), Prayagraj.
