State challenges magistrate's order of probe against top cops

The Bombay High Court has restrained investigating authorities from taking any coercive action against top police officers while probing a complaint filed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, who has alleged damage to his career because of false reports submitted by seniors.
"Considering the nature of challenges raised, after hearing the learned Public Prosecutor, we feel the matter would be required to be heard finally at the admission stage itself," said the division bench of Justices R C Chavan and P B Varale on April 17.
The judges were hearing a petition filed by Maharashtra Government, challenging Nagpur magistrate court's April 2 order that allegation by DIG (Prisons) Shashikant Shinde be probed. Shinde had approached magistrate with the complaint that his career was harmed by the false reports submitted by his seniors.

The complaint names Director General of Police, senior police officers and officers of Home Department.
In response to the state's challenge to magistrate's order, High Court issued notice to Shinde, and scheduled the hearing for April 24. Until then, police would not take any coercive action against the concerned officers.
The magistrate has ordered probe by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.