Supreme Court denies relief to lawyers who alleged police harassment after appearing against Pune developer

The Supreme Court on Friday declined relief to five advocates who alleged they were targeted with police action after appearing in court against a real estate developer.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked the Bombay High Court to hear the advocates’ pending petition on a priority basis but declined to transfer the probe from Pune police to any other agency as requested.

“We request the High Court to accord hearing on a priority basis,” the Bench said.

Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the lawyers, told the Court that all five were practising advocates who had appeared against the developer, and alleged that the Pune Police Commissioner was 'hand in glove with him'.

Kamat told the Court that one of the lawyers was arrested after nearly 200 people barged into his house at 1:50 am, before any FIR had even been registered against him, and that he remained in custody for 40 days before the Bombay High Court granted him relief.

“I was arrested after nearly 200 people barged into my house at 1.50 a.m. There was no FIR at that point. The information was recorded later and the FIR was ultimately registered around 4 am. I remained under illegal arrest for 40 days before the High Court granted me relief,” Kamat told the Court.

He added that a second FIR was later registered against the same lawyer on June 29, 2026, alleging an assault said to have taken place in 2025, and that the other petitioners included his sister, also an advocate, and three junior advocates, all of whom had since been implicated in the case.

“Thereafter, another FIR came to be registered on 29 June 2026 alleging an assault said to have taken place in 2025. Petitioner No.2 is my sister, who is also an advocate. Petitioner Nos.3, 4 and 5 are my junior advocates. All five lawyers have been implicated,” Kamat submitted.

Kamat told the Court that the petitioner (lawyer) had filed three civil suits on behalf of a client against the developer, and was now facing the consequences for it.

He hence sought transfer of the investigation 

“I have filed three suits on behalf of a client against the developer. My only prayer is that the investigation be transferred to any other agency because I have no faith in the present investigation,” Kamat submitted.

He pressed the Court to step in directly and transfer the investigation, bypassing the pending proceedings before the Bombay High Court.

The Court was, however, reluctant to intervene at this stage.

“We cannot cast aspersions on the High Court like this. You already have an order which is not adverse. We are not saying anything on the merits. Approach the High Court. If there is an adverse order, come here,” CJI Kant said while dismissing the plea.

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