New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the state of Haryana in response to a plea filed by a woman lawyer, who has accused officials of the Gurugram Police of subjecting her to sexual and physical assault.

A bench comprising justices PK Mishra and Justice AG Masih sought a response from Haryana Police within four weeks. The plea seeks an independent investigation into a First Information Report (FIR) allegedly filed by the police as retaliation against the petitioner.

"Issue notice returnable in four weeks," the court ordered.

The petitioner, a practising advocate and an executive member of the Tis Hazari Bar Association, has approached the apex court requesting the transfer or clubbing of three FIRs, two lodged by her and one filed against her stemming from an incident that reportedly occurred on May 21, 2025, at Sector 50 police station in Gurugram.

In her petition, the advocate has also sought disciplinary action against the police officials involved and urged the court to direct the investigation to be transferred to an independent agency such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Delhi Police.

According to the petition, the advocate had accompanied a client to the police station in connection with a matrimonial issue. She alleges that when her client attempted to file a complaint against his wife, police officers obstructed the process. She further claims that she was assaulted by both male and female officers, subjected to illegal detention, and offered an unidentified liquid to drink, which she refused.

The petitioner also alleged that no arrest memo was prepared and no information was given to her family or colleagues. Subsequently, she lodged two FIRs — one at Subzi Mandi police station in Delhi and another at the Women Police Station in Gurugram — invoking various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In alleged retaliation, the police registered an FIR against her under BNS Sections 121(1), 132, 221, and 351(3), pertaining to causing hurt to deter a public servant, using criminal force, obstructing a public servant, and criminal intimidation.

During the hearing, the Court questioned the petitioner’s counsel on the circumstances leading to her presence at the police station. Counsel responded, “We had come out of the Manila Thana. The lady threw a brick at our car. The police then took both the boy and girl to Sector 50 Thana. I, as the lawyer, went to get my client out from there. Just see the behaviour of the police officials in my FIR.”

The counsel also submitted that it was implausible for a woman lawyer to physically assault a male officer. However, the Court pushed back on the argument: “Not that it’s unbelievable. Things have changed now,” it remarked.

The petitioner’s counsel argued that the very officers she has accused cannot fairly investigate the case. The court, however, directed her to approach the Superintendent of Police (SP) and suggested that the Punjab and Haryana High Court would be the appropriate forum for such a plea.

"You want investigation by an independent agency for FIR registered in Gurgaon, you should go to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. You are just saying all this because you are a lawyer," the bench observed.

Dismissing the argument, counsel stated, “I have never said lawyer. I am just saying this kind of conduct at the police station with an officer of the court speaks volumes.”

While the Supreme Court agreed to issue notice to the State of Haryana, it declined to stay the investigation against the petitioner.

“Join the investigation. This is the only reason you’ve filed this plea,” the court remarked.

During a prior hearing, the petitioner had also alleged that the police refused to provide a copy of the FIR despite repeated requests.

The bench expressed concern over the necessity of Supreme Court intervention for such matters and advised approaching the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

The matter will now be taken up after four weeks.

UNI SNG PRS