The Punjab and Haryana High Court expressed shock over the staggering figure of 79,000 first information reports (FIRs) in Punjab where investigations remain incomplete despite exceeding the statutory time limit.
Hearing the case Saraj v. State of Punjab and Another, Justice Sandeep Moudgil directed the State Director General of Police (DGP) to present an action plan within two weeks to address the backlog.
“Shocked at the staggering figure of 79,000 FIRs still awaiting logical conclusion in the FIRs despite lapse of statutory period, State is called upon to submit an Action Plan within a period of two weeks, which shall depict the date of FIR, the time prescribed under the Court for the completion of investigation and the proposed time frame to conclude the same,” the Court ordered.
The issue arose during a hearing on an application to cancel anticipatory bail granted to an accused in an attempt-to-murder case. The plea had been withdrawn in September 2024 after the Punjab Police assured the Court that the investigation would be concluded within a month. However, when the investigation remained incomplete, the victim approached the Court to revive the plea.
Responding to the Court’s earlier directive, Additional Advocate General ADS Sukhija revealed that investigations in 79,000 FIRs are still pending beyond the stipulated period for filing final reports.
The High Court, alarmed at the delays, emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue and scheduled the matter for further hearing on January 30.
Case: Saraj vs State of Punjab and Another – Available on LAWFYI.IO
