Archive · 15 Jan 2026
Delhi HC upholds punishment for constable in 2013 riots case
A Delhi police constable named Anuj Kumar was punished by his department for not telling them about a criminal case he was involved in during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots.
Even though Kumar was later found not guilty in the criminal case because the witnesses changed their stories, the department still punished him for not reporting the case.
Kumar tried to get the punishment removed, but the Delhi High Court said the department was right to punish him because not reporting the case was a rule violation.
The court also said that being found not guilty in the criminal case didn't matter for the department's decision.
Delhi High Court upheld departmental punishment against Constable Anuj Kumar for concealing a 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case.
Kumar was acquitted in the criminal case due to hostile witnesses but was punished for not informing the department about the case.
Departmental action was initiated in 2014 for Kumar's failure to report the case, leading to a punishment of forfeiting five years of service and pay.
Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) overturned the penalty in 2021, imposing costs on the DCP and ACP who conducted the disciplinary proceedings.
Delhi High Court set aside the CAT’s order in December 2025, upholding the departmental action and stating that the criminal acquittal was irrelevant to the departmental proceedings.
- Who
- Delhi Police Constable Anuj Kumar
- What
- Departmental punishment for concealing a criminal case
- When
- Departmental action initiated in July 2014, High Court decision in December 2025
- Where
- Delhi and Muzaffarnagar
- Why
- Kumar failed to inform the department about the criminal case against him
- Constable Name
- Anuj Kumar
- Incident
- 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots
- Charges
- Concealing criminal case from department
- Punishment
- Forfeiture of five years’ service and pay
- Criminal Case Outcome
- Acquitted due to hostile witnesses
- Departmental Action Outcome
- Punishment upheld by Delhi High Court
- CAT Decision
- Overturned penalty, imposed costs on DCP and ACP
- High Court Decision
- Set aside CAT’s order, upheld departmental action