Madhya Pradesh High Court Addresses Malkhana Neglect

The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court has criticized the poor maintenance of police storerooms, known as malkhanas, after evidence was destroyed by rats. Authorities have been directed to improve conditions. This incident highlights the widespread issue across police stations in smaller areas, needing urgent attention.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the state of 'malkhanas'—the storerooms where police store prosecution evidence—and has instructed authorities to ensure their proper maintenance.

This directive followed an incident where the Vijay Nagar police reported that plastic cans containing viscera, crucial to a case, were damaged by rats during rains. Consequently, police were unable to secure a histopathological report, and 28 other samples also fell victim to the pests.

Justice Subodh Abhyankar of the single bench stated that involved police officers should have considered all necessary precautions to protect the seized investigative material. Highlighting the dire condition of these storerooms, the court ordered the director general of police to review all malkhanas in the state, preventing future mishaps. A monthly web link update may be introduced to monitor malkhana statuses. Meanwhile, a probe against the Vijay Nagar station's officer and malkhana in charge has begun.

(With inputs from agencies.)