In a recent case, the Supreme Court has raised concerns over the alleged failure of the Madhya Pradesh Police to provide essential police protection to a family facing threats from the husband of a sitting legislator. The accused, identified as the spouse of a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), is implicated in the murder of the petitioner's father in 2019.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan has expressed strong reservations about the State Police's actions, noting that it appears to be operating under political influences rather than prioritizing the security of potential victims. The Court has criticized the police for seemingly safeguarding individuals with criminal backgrounds rather than ensuring the protection of those at risk.

The court proceedings have been initiated following a plea seeking contempt of court charges against the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Damoh District and the State Director General of Police (DGP) for their failure to comply with judicial orders mandating police protection for the petitioner's family. The family, despite a previous court directive, continues to face threats from the accused, leading to a state of constant fear.

The petitioner's plea outlines that initially, the authorities provided security to the petitioner and the family. However, security measures were abruptly withdrawn without any explanation, leaving the family vulnerable to potential harm. The situation is exacerbated by the alleged influence of the local MLA, identified as Smt. Rambai, who is reportedly known as a "Dabang" in the locality.

The petitioner's plea contends that the local MLA openly challenged the state and issued threats to the district collector, leading to the transfer of the collector under political pressure. Despite the accused being arrested only after the Supreme Court's intervention, the family's safety remains at risk, and the court's order to ensure their protection has seemingly been disregarded.

Furthermore, the plea highlights the concerning fact that the police provided security to the main accused, despite his history as a habitual criminal with multiple pending cases and three life imprisonment sentences awarded by the Session Court in different cases.

As a response to the perceived negligence and non-compliance with court orders, the Supreme Court has directed the SP of Damoh District and the State DGP to personally appear in court on the next hearing date.

Case: Somesh Chaurasia v. State of Madhya Pradesh and anr.