The Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 4, 2026, strongly criticised attempts to pull senior officers into criminal trials without valid grounds. The Court stayed a Jalandhar trial court order that had summoned Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma as a defence witness in an NDPS case.
Justice Jasjeet Singh Bedi heard the petition in Court No. 52. The Bench questioned why the defence wanted the Commissioner of Police to appear in person. The judge noted that Sharma had no direct role in the investigation and did not figure as a prosecution witness.
During the hearing, the Court asked the counsel a pointed question in open court: “Why do you need the Commissioner of Police, Ludhiana to come to court? Just to give you a CCTV record?” The Bench found the explanation weak and expressed surprise over the trial court’s approach.
The High Court also objected to the Jalandhar court issuing bailable warrants for a senior officer. The Bench said such steps create unnecessary pressure and distract officers from their statutory duties. It also warned that courts should not allow defence tactics that aim to delay time-bound NDPS trials.
The Court noted that the officer had requested permission to appear through video conferencing. The Bench said the trial court should have considered that request. It viewed the insistence on physical appearance as unreasonable in the circumstances.
After hearing the matter, the High Court stayed the summoning order and granted relief to Swapan Sharma. The ruling sends a clear message that courts must not allow misuse of process to stall proceedings.
The Bench also took note of media reporting that followed the summoning order. It said speculative coverage can harm reputations and reduce public trust. The Court underlined the need for responsible reporting, especially when senior officers handle sensitive cases.
Overall, the decision reinforces that trials must move forward without unnecessary distractions. It also sets a firm standard for summoning senior officials only when the case truly demands it.
