Raipur
The Chhattisgarh High Court has halted proceedings in the sedition case against former Additional Director General of Police (ADG) GP Singh, offering substantial relief to the 1994 batch IPS officer. This decision comes in the wake of the Central Administrative Tribunal’s (CAT) directive to the state government to drop all charges against him and reinstate him, issued in April. The allegations against him stemmed from activities deemed seditious against the government, which surfaced during raids exposing criticisms of government officials. G P Singh was compelled to retire from service in July 2023.
The Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Rajani Dubey, issued the order, bringing significant respite to the IPS officer entangled in the legal proceedings. During the tenure of the Bhupesh Baghel government, the former police officer faced multiple criminal charges, resulting in his imprisonment and eventual compulsory retirement.
The recent ruling by the Central Administrative Tribunal directed the closure of all cases against GP Singh within four weeks, leading to the state government’s recommendation for his compulsory retirement in July 2023, which was subsequently approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Allegations surfaced regarding the discovery of certain documents and electronic devices at his official residence, suggesting activities against the government, prompting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against him. However, GP Singh contested the FIR, alleging a conspiracy to falsely implicate him in fabricated cases, and sought relief through a petition to the High Court.
GP Singh was accused of sedition following raids on his government residence and other locations in July 2021, which uncovered suspicious activities. Subsequent investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau revealed writings critical of the government, fueling public discontent and hostility. Among the findings was a 5-page document, discovered not only at GP Singh’s residence but also during the search of his friend, SBI manager Mani Bhushan’s house, containing criticisms of certain IAS officers, legislators, and the Chhattisgarh Police Department.
