Supreme Court Orders Immediate Removal of Indore SHO Over ‘Pocket Witness’ Controversy

Indore: The Supreme Court has taken strict action against Indramani Patel, the SHO of Chandan Nagar Police Station in Indore, ordering his immediate removal from investigative duties and transfer to police lines. The court reprimanded the officer for repeatedly relying on a select group of witnesses, a practice it described as a “stain on the rule of law.”

During a hearing on a special leave petition, the Supreme Court emphasized that repeatedly using the same witnesses in multiple cases undermines the principles of justice in a law-governed country. The court warned that if Patel interferes in police station matters in any capacity, the Commissioner of Police, Indore, will be held accountable.

State Government to Submit Compliance Affidavit
The court directed the state government to submit an affidavit confirming compliance with the order. It also instructed that the order be immediately communicated to the relevant authorities, even if the official copy has not yet been uploaded.

Supreme Court Underscores Legal Principles
The bench observed, “Respondent No. 4 (SHO) has, prima facie, repeatedly used the same witnesses to support the police version of alleged crimes, thereby creating ‘stock witnesses.’ This practice strikes at the core of investigative fairness and equality, and is unacceptable in a country governed by the rule of law.”

Further Contempt Noted by High Court
The Supreme Court also took cognizance of a related case pending in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which involved the same officer. According to the High Court’s order dated 4 December 2025, Patel had taken Raja Dubey into custody unlawfully on 26 November 2025 and handcuffed him without filing a case. While Patel appeared before the court, he could not provide any court authorization for the handcuffing.

The High Court noted that Patel’s actions were a serious violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ fundamental right to life. It had directed the Commissioner of Police to report on any departmental and criminal actions proposed against the officer.

Background
NBT had previously reported on the issue of “pocket witnesses” in the Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh. A digital crime tracking audit revealed that six individuals had repeatedly appeared as government witnesses in multiple cases, highlighting systemic misuse.