Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Bombay HC Criticizes Police for Delayed Preliminary Inquiries
The Bombay High Court is upset with the police for taking too long to do their initial investigations, which should be done within 14 days according to the law.
The court wants the Ministry of Home Affairs to explain why this rule isn't being followed.
A man named Kundan Jaywant Patil asked the court to register a complaint against someone, but the police are still looking into an older complaint against him.
The court thinks the police might not know about the new law or are ignoring it on purpose.
The next hearing is on December 19.
Bombay High Court criticizes police for delaying preliminary inquiries beyond the 14-day mandate.
Court seeks response from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on compliance with the law.
Petitioner Kundan Jaywant Patil seeks FIR registration against a person in relation to his complaint.
Complaint by Surekha Narkhede against Patil is still under preliminary inquiry since August.
Court observes police may be unaware of or deliberately ignoring the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) provisions.
- Who
- Bombay High Court, Kundan Jaywant Patil, Surekha Narkhede, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- What
- Bombay High Court criticizes police for delayed preliminary inquiries and seeks MHA response
- When
- December 10, 2024 (order), October 2024 (complaint), August 2024 (complaint by Surekha Narkhede)
- Where
- Bombay High Court, Mumbai, India
- Why
- To ensure compliance with the 14-day mandate for preliminary inquiries under Section 173(3)(i) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Bench
- Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Ranjitsinha R Bhonsale
- Petitioner
- Kundan Jaywant Patil
- Advocates
- Uday Warunjikar and Ayush Pasbola
- Complainant
- Surekha Narkhede
- Police Station
- Kashimira police station, Mira Road (East), Thane district, Maharashtra
- Legal Provision
- Section 173(3)(i) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Mandate
- 14-day period for preliminary inquiries
- Next Hearing
- December 19
