HC orders 50K for accusedwho spent 15 days extra in jail due to police error

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has directed UP govt to pay Rs 50,000 to an accused whose release was delayed by 15 days after the police submitted incorrect information about his criminal history to oppose his bail application, reports Rajesh Kumar Pandey.Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal passed this order on the bail plea filed by one Furkan, who was arrested in Nov last year in a car theft case.The court also granted him bail by an order dated March 10.His counsel said he could have been released on bail on Feb 23, but he remained in jail for 15 more days, as the police claimed he had a criminal history of 12 cases instead of five.The court noted that the incorrect information was supplied by the investigation officer (IO)."Therefore, compensation of Rs 50,000 shall be paid by the state to the applicant within one month from today. From the perusal of record, it is clear that there was no malafide on the part of the IO but there was mistake because of his negligence," the court said.After the accused contested the claim of his criminal history, the court had summoned the additional director general (technical services) of Lucknow. Appearing via video conferencing on March 10, ADG Naveen Arora conceded the IO's mistake.Arora submitted that it is easy to trace the criminal history of any accused through crime and criminal tracking network and systems (CCTNS).Arora further said access to fetch the case diary through inter-operable criminal justice system (ICJS) was given to joint director of prosecution at Allahabad high court but the officer refused to avail that facility due to shortage of staff.The court then directed director, prosecution, to ensure sufficient staff in the office of joint director of prosecution to enable him to avail the facility.