Patna High Court Cracks Down on Bihar Police Over Illegal Arrests

Brief By Newsbrief / 8:54 AM on 31 Mar 2026

The Patna High Court has taken strict action against Bihar Police over arbitrary arrests in cases punishable with less than seven years. Justice Arun Kumar Jha directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to initiate departmental proceedings against Jamui’s Superintendent of Police, SDPO, and the then SHO. The court also barred the SHO from handling investigations until the inquiry concludes.

The court found a clear violation of the Supreme Court’s Arnesh Kumar guidelines, which mandate issuing notices under Section 41A CrPC instead of making immediate arrests in such cases. Contempt notices have been issued to the officials, seeking responses within eight weeks.

The case relates to a 2020 FIR involving alleged cyber offences, where the petitioner claimed illegal detention and police misconduct. The court termed the arrest “mechanical” and unlawful. The next hearing has been scheduled for June 19, 2026.