Supreme Court slams CBI and MP government:Due to failing to arrest accused officers, orders immediate arrests in Deva Pardi death case by October 8

The CBI is investigating the death of Deva Pardi in Guna police custody. The case is now before the Supreme Court. On Friday, a bench of Justices BV Nagaratna and R. Mahadevan said that even with full powers, the CBI and the state government have failed to arrest two absconding police officers, calling it “equivalent to contempt of court.” The Supreme Court has given the CBI a final chance, setting a deadline of October 8 to make the arrests. The court also directed that if the officers are not caught by then, the state’s Additional Chief Secretary and the CBI investigating officer must appear in court personally. Rs 2 lakh reward on accused policemen
On July 15, 2024, Deva Pardi, a resident of Bilakhedi, died in police custody. Station in-charge Sanjeet Mawai and sub-inspector Uttam Singh were made accused in the case. Both have been suspended. A reward of Rs 2 lakh has been announced on them, but they are still absconding. The investigation of this case has been handed over to CBI. The petition has been filed by Deva Pardi’s mother, alleging contempt of court’s order dated May 15, 2025, which stated that both officers should be arrested within one month. Now learn what happened in the three days of hearing? First Day – September 23, 2025
The bench of Justice Nagaratna and Mahadevan heard the contempt petition and questioned the state government and CBI. The court made strict observations saying – No action is being taken despite Supreme Court’s orders. The state is repeatedly making excuses of helplessness. If any other incident happens in custody, we will not spare the state government. The court also directed that security of Deva Pardi’s brother Gangaram Pardi, who is currently in judicial custody, should be ensured and jail administration should be alerted. Second Day – September 25, 2025
The Supreme Court said that the state government cannot hide behind the CBI. Justice Mahadevan questioned – You have been saying since April that they are absconding, then why suspension on September 24? This means you are protecting them. The petitioner’s lawyer Payoshi Roy told the court that both policemen were receiving salary until recently, even though they were not on duty. One of the accused had also filed an anticipatory bail petition in Gwalior, which clearly shows that he is active somewhere. The court also rejected CBI’s arguments which stated that steps like physical surveillance of officers, banking transactions, social media investigation and monitoring at toll booths were taken, but no results were found. Third Day – 26 September 2025 (Friday)
The state government’s lawyer said that the accused policemen have not been paid salary since May and they were already line attached. To this, Justice Nagaratna said- If he was an ordinary person, he would have been caught by now. Do we have to get information about them only from the petitioners? Meanwhile, petitioner’s lawyer Payoshi Roy said that the accused are taking time to pressure the witnesses. Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare, representing the CBI, said they are making every possible effort and need some more time. Justice Nagaratna warned saying – We do not agree with your arguments. The next step will be to determine contempt charges. Not being able to arrest two officers is a serious contempt. Finally, the court ordered –