Patna HC seeks records in Rohtas ex-SP contempt case over trial court order

The Patna High Court has sought all records after a Rohtas trial court proceeded against a former district police chief. The move underscores questions over procedure as the original judgment and related directions are already under challenge.Patna,Oct 9, 2026 14:30 ISTThe Patna High Court has sought all records related to proceedings started against a former Rohtas district police chief by a trial court over alleged non-compliance with its directions in a case that is already under challenge before the high court. A division bench of Justices Rajeev Ranjan Prasad and Sunil Dutta Mishra said, “It seems to be a peculiar situation, and an unprecedented one.”In an order issued on Thursday, the bench noted that the trial court’s 2023 judgment, along with its direction to register an FIR against a person for alleged false deposition, was pending before the high court. It said procedural propriety should have been maintained by the lower court, but added that it did not wish to make any further observation at this stage.The high court directed the principal district judge of Rohtas to submit a report along with all documents and orders passed in the case initiated over the alleged non-compliance with the trial court’s directions. Bihar Advocate General S D Sanjay told the court that the trial court had directed the then Rohtas superintendent of police to register an FIR against a man for allegedly giving a false statement, and had later started criminal contempt proceedings against the former district police chief and imposed a fine for the alleged non-compliance.“Under statutory rules, a court cannot direct an FIR for false evidence. It can only file a formal written complaint itself,” he argued. The state’s top law officer also said the trial court had continued to pass orders in the matter even after its judgment was challenged before the high court. On his request for an early hearing, the Patna High Court said the appeal would be listed among the first five cases on November 25. The bench said the trial court’s directions and related issues would be considered at the final hearing and ordered, “In the meantime, there shall be no further action, and the matter shall not be precipitated.”- Ends