SC stays criminal proceedings against ex-Guj officer

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed criminal proceedings initiated by Gujarat government against former IPS officer Kuldeep Sharma in a 31-year-old assault case. A bench of Justices V Gopala Gowda and C Nagappan also issued <g data-gr-id="19">notice</g> to the state government while granting relief to Sharma, who had reportedly been at loggerheads with Narendra Modi during his tenure as the Chief Minister.

“Issue notice. The further proceedings before the trial court shall remain stayed,” it said.

The bench sought <g data-gr-id="16">explanation</g> from the state government for delayed grant of sanction to prosecute Sharma.

The court’s order came on a plea filed by Sharma challenging Gujarat government’s February 29, 2012 decision to permit his prosecute in the assault case. The officer and his junior officer G H Vasavadaon are accused of beating up Ibla Sheth, a suspected smuggler, in May 1984 in Sharma’s office. Sharma was then the District Superintendent of Police (DySP) in Kutch District.