New Delhi, October 17, 2025: In a stern rebuke that underscores the tension between judicial authority and police power, the Supreme Court held that a Uttar Pradesh police officer's “wilful disobedience” of its order must be “dealt with iron hands.” The bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria observed that an officer cannot be allowed to “pollute the stream of justice” under the guise of a uniform.
The hearing centred on a contempt petition filed by Ram Sagar Tiwari against Police Officer Gulaab Singh Sonkar and the State of Uttar Pradesh, arising from an earlier Supreme Court order of March 28, 2025, granting Tiwari protection from “coercive measures” in an ongoing investigation.
The Allegations of Defiance. Defying this protection, Tiwari was apprehended from his workplace on April 23, 2025, allegedly dragged to the police station, arrested, detained overnight, and assaulted. He alleged that despite presenting the Supreme Court's order to the Station House Officer, it was outrightly rejected, and that the officer shouted in Hindi that he would not follow any Supreme Court order.
The Inquiry Report. The Supreme Court had directed an inquiry by an officer not below the rank of Additional Director General of Police. The resulting report, dated September 14, 2025, was unequivocal: the arresting officers were “fully cognizant” of the Supreme Court's protective order, the petitioner was “unnecessarily detained” prior to formal arrest, and he was not informed of his arrest as per due process.
The bench held the findings “clearly indicate prima facie there is wilful disobedience of the Order of the Court,” stating such conduct “requires to be dealt with iron hands.” The Additional Advocate General for Uttar Pradesh acknowledged the gravity of the situation and submitted the state would “act immediately” and report back. The bench relisted the matter for further hearing, clarifying that while the Principal Secretary (Home) is a necessary party to ensure compliance, the contempt proceedings are primarily aimed at Officer Sonkar.
