Delhi HC asks why Delhi Police didn't arrest man who impersonated judge, civil servant

The Delhi High Court on Thursday denied anticipatory bail to a man accused of posing as a Patna High Court judge and a civil servant to obtain sensitive and confidential information from various senior authorities. 

Justice Girish Kathpalia noted with surprise that there were nearly a dozen FIRs against accused Manoj Kumar Jha and despite his anticipatory bail being rejected several times, including by the Supreme Court, the police was yet to arrest him. 

The Court said that this “conveys an impression that accused is being helped and there is something more that meets the eye”. 

“That being so, copy of this order be sent to the concerned Deputy Commissioner of Police through the learned Senior Standing Counsel for information and necessary action,” the Court ordered. 

The Court was hearing an anticipatory bail filed by Jha in a case registered in 2024 at Delhi’s Parliament Street police station. 

His counsel told the Court that despite dismissal of anticipatory bail applications way back in the year 2024 and dismissal of the appeal by the Supreme Court, police have not arrested him.

This shows that Jha’s custody is not required, it was argued.  

The prosecutor, appearing for the Delhi Police, also expressed anguish that despite the Supreme Court rejecting Jha’s anticipatory bail plea, the police had not taken any action to arrest him. 

After considering the case, the High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea. 

“Apart from the nature of allegations, coupled with the fact that the accused/applicant is a habitual offender, I am also governed by strict judicial discipline. As mentioned above, the Hon’ble Supreme Court also did not find it a fit case to grant anticipatory bail and in any case, subsequent to the order passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, there is no change of circumstances. Considering the above circumstances, I do not find it a fit case to grant anticipatory bail,” it reasoned. 

Advocate Aditya Kapoor appeared for applicant Manoj Kumar Jha.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Amit Ahlawat represented the Delhi Police.

[Read Order]