The Supreme Court of India has pulled up the Kerala Police over its alleged failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) despite receiving a complaint through post, and has directed a senior police officer from Ernakulam district to personally appear before it with an explanation.

A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan expressed strong dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the State of Kerala, stating that it failed to address the core issue raised before the court. The bench noted that the primary question—why a formal FIR was not registered immediately after receipt of the complaint—remained unanswered, describing the response as “thoroughly unsatisfactory”.

The court recorded that the complaint in question had been received by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam district, on January 8. Despite this, no FIR was registered at that stage, prompting judicial scrutiny. Taking serious note of the lapse, the bench directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police to remain personally present before the court on May 15, 2026, to explain the reasons for the inaction.

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In its order, the Supreme Court also extended interim protection earlier granted to the petitioner, restraining coercive action in connection with an existing FIR registered at Panangad Police Station in Ernakulam City. The protection, however, is conditional on the petitioner cooperating with the ongoing investigation and trial proceedings.

The case forms part of a broader set of proceedings in which the apex court has been examining allegations of police inaction on multiple complaints linked to the same incident. Earlier hearings had also raised concerns over whether a counter-complaint filed by a co-accused—containing allegations of outraging the modesty of a woman from a Scheduled Caste community and supported by medical evidence—was properly investigated by the police authorities.

During previous hearings, the bench had questioned the lack of response from the police, observing that the omissions in the affidavit raised serious concerns about accountability. The court had further remarked that such instances could have wider implications for public trust in law enforcement agencies when citizens approach them with evidence-backed complaints.

The Supreme Court has also cautioned that if any dereliction of duty is ultimately established, it would take a strict view of the matter, underlining the importance of timely and proper registration of FIRs as a fundamental part of criminal procedure and public confidence in the justice system.

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