Bombay High Court Quashes Compensation Order Against Police Inspector

The Bombay High Court has overturned a Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission order directing a police inspector to pay Rs 2 lakh compensation to a woman. The court noted that the officer was not given an opportunity to present his case and remitted the matter for fresh hearing.

The Bombay High Court has quashed a Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) directive that ordered a police inspector to pay Rs 2 lakh to a woman for alleged negligence in investigating her son's death. The court observed that the officer, Abasaheb Anandrao Patil, was not given a chance to present his case before the commission's decision.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithiviraj Chavan, in the judgment dated August 9, noted the violation of natural justice principles. They directed the MSHRC to rehear the matter and issue notices to the involved parties, including Patil.

Patil had contested the commission's July 2022 decision, arguing that it was made without providing him the chance for a defense. The court has now remitted the case for fresh consideration, emphasizing the need for due process in such allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)