Court Emphasizes Grave Nature of Allegations; Burden of Proof Lies on Police to Rebut Charges
In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, Amit Kumar Yadav, accused in a custodial death case. The judgment, delivered by Justice Manish Mathur on September 15, 2026, underscores the serious nature of custodial death allegations and the responsibility of the accused police personnel to provide a rebuttal.
The case, rooted in the tragic demise of Sanjay Sonkar, revolves around allegations that he was brutally assaulted while in custody, leading to his death. The incident allegedly transpired on November 4, 2025, when Sonkar was taken for questioning by Yadav and his co-accused. The following day, Sonkar's body was discovered in a mortuary, sparking accusations of custodial violence.
Counsel for Yadav argued against the allegations, citing a post-mortem report that indicated only minor injuries, which they claimed were insufficient to cause death. However, the court emphasized the severity of the charges, which potentially warrant life imprisonment or the death penalty. The court also noted the statutory bar under Section 18 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, against granting anticipatory bail in such cases.
The prosecution highlighted the serious nature of the allegations, asserting that the police personnel involved should bear the burden of proof to disprove the claims of custodial death. Despite referencing previous Supreme Court judgments, the court found no compelling reason to grant bail, as the appellant failed to demonstrate cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
In dismissing the appeal, the court reiterated the gravity of custodial deaths and the imperative for police accountability. The judgment serves as a stern reminder of the judicial system's commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring justice for victims of alleged police misconduct.
Bottom Line:
Custodial death - Burden of proof lies on the police personnel to rebut allegations of custodial death - Allegations of custodial death are serious in nature and anticipatory bail is not maintainable in light of Section 18 of the SC/ST Act.
Statutory provision(s): Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, Section 18 of the SC/ST Act.
Amit Kumar Yadav v. State of U.P., (All)(Lucknow) : Law Finder Doc id # 2979958
