Allahabad High Court slams UP police for chasing couples instead of solving crimes

The Allahabad High Court has issued a stern warning to the Uttar Pradesh police, accusing them of chasing couples instead of probing serious crimes. The court expressed its displeasure during a hearing on Friday, observing that police resources were being wasted on moral policing rather than investigating grave offences.

Court's sharp observations

Justice Rahul Chaturvedi, presiding over the bench, did not mince words while addressing the state's law enforcement. "You are chasing couples instead of investigating crimes. This is not the job of the police," the court remarked.

The judge pointed out that targeting young couples without any legal basis amounted to harassment. The court warned that if such practices continued, it would consider initiating contempt proceedings against the officers involved.

Petition details

The case came to light after a couple approached the High Court alleging harassment by the Uttar Pradesh police. The petitioners claimed that officers had detained them without cause and subjected them to humiliation.

The court noted that the police action appeared to be driven by moral policing rather than any genuine criminal suspicion. It questioned why the same energy was not directed at solving pending criminal cases that plague the state.

Broader issue of policing priorities

This is not the first time the judiciary has flagged concerns about police priorities in Uttar Pradesh. Courts have previously criticised the tendency of law enforcement to focus on consensual relationships between adults while serious crimes like murder, rape, and dacoity remain underinvestigated.

The High Court's observations highlight a pattern where police resources are diverted to what the judge called "trivial matters" at the expense of public safety. The bench emphasised that the police must focus on their core duty—preventing and solving crimes—rather than interfering in personal lives.

Warning of legal consequences

The court made it clear that any further incidents of police harassing couples without proper legal grounds would invite strict action. "If this continues, we will be forced to take contempt proceedings against the officers concerned," the bench warned.

Legal experts note that contempt proceedings can result in fines or even imprisonment for erring officials. The warning is seen as a significant step to curb the practice of moral policing in the state.

Reaction and implications

Civil liberties groups have welcomed the High Court's stance, calling it a much-needed check on police overreach. They argue that targeting couples not only wastes public resources but also violates fundamental rights to privacy and liberty.

The Uttar Pradesh government has not yet issued an official response to the court's observations. However, the directive puts pressure on the state's police machinery to realign its priorities.

What happens next will depend on whether the police leadership issues clear guidelines to officers on the ground. The court has made its position clear—couples are not criminals, and the police have better things to do than play moral guardians.