In a shocking procedural lapse, Andhra Pradesh police faced severe criticism from a Patna court after arriving in Bihar to arrest senior IPS officer Sunil M. Nayak without proper documentation. The officer, currently serving as Inspector General of Home Guards and Fire Services, was detained on Monday evening in connection with a 2021 case involving IPC Section 307, linked to former MP K. Raghurama Krishna Raju from Narasapuram Lok Sabha constituency.
The drama unfolded when the Andhra team presented Nayak before the Patna Civil Court. The judge promptly demanded the arrest warrant and case diary, only to find the police empty-handed. This glaring oversight led to the immediate cancellation of the transit remand request. City SP West Bhanu Pratap confirmed that while the arrest was intimated to the local Shastri Nagar police station shortly after 6 PM, standard protocols were flouted by notifying them post-arrest instead of prior.
Nayak’s residence falls under Shastri Nagar jurisdiction in Patna, amplifying the local angle. The court viewed this as a technical violation, underscoring the mandatory requirement for inter-state arrests to involve local authorities beforehand. The Andhra police’s hasty operation, lacking essential papers, not only failed but drew sharp rebuke from the bench.
This incident raises serious questions about coordination between state police forces and adherence to legal norms. As Nayak remains in Bihar, the case spotlights potential overreach in pursuing old allegations from Andhra Pradesh. Legal experts note that such lapses could jeopardize future proceedings, emphasizing the judiciary’s role in upholding procedural integrity.
The episode serves as a reminder of the delicate balance in federal policing, where respect for jurisdictional boundaries is paramount. With the remand denied, Andhra authorities must now regroup, ensuring all documents are in order for any subsequent attempt.