Haryana court detains SHO in lockup for one hour after repeated failures to testify in murder case
Kaithal judge orders custody for Sirsa-based Inspector Rajesh Kumar amid delays in 2021 homicide probe; incident sparks online discourse on police accountability, including advocate Prashant Umrao’s tweet decrying ‘increasing thuggery.’
NewsArc Bireau
Kaithal, Haryana – September 11, 2025 – In a rare display of judicial sternness, Additional Sessions Judge Mohit Agarwal in Kaithal court ordered Inspector Rajesh Kumar, currently stationed as SHO at Badagudha police station in Sirsa, to be held in lockup for one hour on Thursday. The action stemmed from Kumar’s persistent failure to appear as a witness in a 2021 murder case, despite multiple court summons, warrants, and even an order to attach his salary.
Kumar, who served as the investigating officer in the case under Siwan police station, arrived at court around 10:30 AM. At the time, the court was handling another matter, prompting Judge Agarwal to direct immediate custody. Kumar was detained in the court lockup until 11:30 AM, during which he reportedly sat silently with folded hands. His testimony was subsequently recorded, after which he was released. Prisoner Escort Incharge Suresh Kumar confirmed the procedure was followed based on initial verbal orders, with written confirmation arriving later.
The underlying case dates back to 2021, when 25-year-old Manish, a combine harvester owner from Kakhedi village in Kaithal’s Siwan area, was brutally murdered with a sharp weapon while sleeping in a field shed. Manish’s uncle, Rajbir Singh, filed the FIR, alleging the killing occurred during wheat harvesting operations about a kilometer from the village. Two police teams, including one led by then-Siwan SHO Kumar, were assigned to investigate. Kumar has remained the primary investigating officer for four years.
Court records reveal Kumar missed the last 3-4 hearings, leading to escalating measures: bailable warrants initially, followed by a non-bailable warrant on August 29 mandating his appearance by September 11. When compliance faltered, the court instructed Kaithal SP to attach Kumar’s salary and ensure his arrest and presentation. Upon learning of Kumar’s posting in Sirsa, authorities tracked him down and enforced the order.
The case has endured 48 hearing dates, prompting Manish’s family to petition the Punjab and Haryana High Court over delays. On December 10, 2024, the High Court directed resolution by June 10, 2025. However, the transfer of the case from Judge Vivek Yadav (on leave) to Judge Agarwal on June 4 extended proceedings.
The incident has ignited discussions on police accountability, amplified on social media. Advocate Prashant Umrao, in a tweet posted Thursday, highlighted the episode, stating: “Kaithal court sent SHO Inspector Rajesh Kumar to lockup for 1 hour. SHO was not appearing for testimony in a murder case… In front of increasing police thuggery, now only hope is from the judiciary.” The post, accompanied by an image, garnered significant engagement, including likes and reposts, underscoring public frustration with law enforcement’s perceived impunity.
Legal experts note such detentions, while uncommon, serve as a reminder of judicial authority over investigative lapses. As Haryana grapples with broader issues of governance and public trust, this case underscores the tensions between police duties and court mandates.
