Court quashes its order to lodge FIR against Nagpur SP, PI

Vadodara: In a relief for the Nagpur rural police, the family court in Vadodara has recalled and quashed its earlier order directing the filing of an FIR against the superintendent of police (SP) (rural) and a police inspector from Nagpur, after both officers tendered an unconditional apology to the court.

In March, the court had ordered an FIR after the Nagpur (rural) police failed to execute warrants issued against a local businessman in a maintenance case.

While recalling the FIR order, the court of PH Singh noted that the applicants (the police officers) must henceforth discharge their duties with due diligence and a sense of responsibility.

On March 29, the court had directed the registrar to register an FIR at the Akota police station against the Nagpur police officials for intentionally disobeying lawful directions, harbouring an offender whose arrest had been ordered, and violating the law with the intent to shield a person from punishment.

Akshita Meskar, a Vadodara resident, had filed a maintenance case in 2014 against her husband Jitendra, a native of Nagpur. In 2017, the court ordered Jitendra to pay her Rs 25,000 per month. After he failed to comply, Akshita filed a recovery application in the family court in 2018. The court subsequently issued multiple distress warrants addressed to the Nagpur SP (rural) and the Umred police inspector, none of which were executed.

The court observed that the police had flouted its orders, displaying negligence in the execution of their duties. On March 12, 2025, it issued a notice to SP Nagpur (rural) via email and registered post, with a copy also sent to the DIG, Nagpur Range, and the DGP, Maharashtra.

The court summoned SP Nagpur (rural) to appear in person on March 27 and provide a written explanation as to why the Umred police had failed to execute the warrants since 2018 and why the dues had not been recovered from Jitendra and paid to Akshita. When no response was received from the SP or his subordinates on the due date, the court ordered the registration of an FIR on March 29.

However, following the FIR order, the Nagpur police promptly arrested Jitendra and produced him before the court, which sentenced him to jail.

The SP (rural) also emailed an apology to the court. The family court noted that the warrant was executed, and Jitendra was arrested and presented before the court on April 2—a day after The Times of India reported the matter. He was jailed for failing to pay maintenance.

The court acknowledged that Jitendra has since paid the entire outstanding amount and remarked that the primary objective of ensuring justice for his wife has been achieved.