Bilaspur Police Rearranges Post After Judicial FIR Controversy
The Bilaspur police command has initiated a leadership change at the Sarkanda police station following intense scrutiny over a case involving a sitting family court judge. SSP Rajnesh Singh has officially attached TI Pradeep Arya to the line and appointed Naresh Chauhan as the new station in-charge.
The administrative directive addresses a growing debate regarding police protocol when handling complaints against judicial officials. The controversy began when an FIR was opened against Mahasamund Family Court Judge Prafull Kumar Sonwani.
The underlying dispute traces back to a week-old incident in Raikishore Nagar. Judge Sonwani was residing at the location when a birthday celebration continued with loud drumming and firecrackers well past midnight.
The judge filed a formal complaint regarding the noise pollution. According to witnesses, this led to a clashes with property dealer Abhay Barua and his associates. The judicial family alleges they faced verbal harassment and physical violence during the ensuing altercation.
While the police initially filed a case against Barua and his group, they later registered a second FIR against Judge Sonwani after receiving a complaint from his opponents. This dual filing strategy sparked immediate legal debate.
The judiciary swiftly questioned the department's adherence to statutory guidelines. Officials pointed out that filing an FIR against a magisterial officer requires specific administrative clearance. They also demanded a transparent and unbiased inquiry before any punitive measures are considered.
Responding to the institutional tension, SSP Rajnesh Singh executed a personnel shuffle. TI Pradeep Arya’s line attachment is viewed by legal observers as a procedural correction measure. Official records, however, continue to label the shift as a routine administrative decision.
The department is now expected to reassess its complaint registration guidelines. The focus remains on ensuring that future interactions between law enforcement and judicial personnel strictly follow established regulatory and procedural mandates.