Indore — Departmental action has been initiated against four former and serving station house officers (TIs) after scrutiny showed that the same small group of witnesses were repeatedly named in a large number of criminal cases registered at city police stations.
Scope of the irregularity and official measures
According to local police reports, the repeated reliance on a narrow set of witnesses surfaced in cases ranging from gambling and the Arms Act to other non-bailable matters. The matter gained wider public attention after the issue was flagged before the Supreme Court, prompting internal inquiries within the Indore police.
Actions taken so far include:
- Demotion of a former Khajrana TI, Dinesh Verma, to sub‑inspector following a departmental inquiry that found allegations established in his tenure.
- Removal of Indramani Patel from his posting at Chandan Nagar police station, with an inquiry under way and his name withheld from a recent DSP promotion list.
- Demotion of former MIG TI Ajay Verma to sub‑inspector in connection with a separate case review related to the handling of a rape complaint.
- Two other officers have also been subjected to disciplinary action in separate matters, according to police sources.
"During the tenure of former Khajrana TI Dinesh Verma, the names of two witnesses, Irshad and Naveen, appeared in around 700 cases," a police communication stated.
Numbers and patterns
Available records cited by investigating authorities indicate the repeated use of the same witnesses on a large scale:
| Police Station | Witnesses repeatedly named | Approx. number of cases |
|---|---|---|
| Khajrana | Irshad, Naveen | ~700 |
| Chandan Nagar | Amin Rangrez, Salman, Abdul, Majid | ~1,350 |
The pattern — multiple FIRs listing the same small cadre of witnesses across hundreds of matters — drew strong judicial attention. A senior Indore police officer was called before the Supreme Court during proceedings that highlighted concerns over the integrity of witness statements and the potential misuse of police power in building prosecutable cases.
Local consequences and legal options
Commissioner Santosh Singh carried out the demotion of Dinesh Verma after the departmental inquiry. Verma is reported to be preparing an appeal against the decision and is considering further legal remedies, including approaching the High Court.
The removal of Indramani Patel from Chandan Nagar has led to a fresh internal probe, and his exclusion from the recent DSP promotion process indicates administrative caution pending the inquiry's outcome. The inquiry into Ajay Verma stemmed from a court report on the way a rape complaint was handled in 2022; the departmental action reduced his rank.
- For residents, the developments may prompt renewed scrutiny of past convictions and pending matters where the same witnesses were used.
- Litigants and victims whose cases listed the recurring witnesses may face uncertainty; courts may need to reassess evidentiary records if the departmental probes yield substantive findings.
- The police administration has signalled it will pursue accountability while senior officers continue to review procedural safeguards to prevent recurrence.
Local legal practitioners noted that repeated reliance on a small set of witnesses can undermine prosecutions and invite judicial orders for re‑examination of cases. The Supreme Court's involvement underscores the wider implications for fair trial rights and the police's duty to ensure reliable investigation methods.
As inquiries proceed, the city awaits formal findings and any consequent orders from disciplinary boards or courts that could affect past and ongoing prosecutions in Indore. The police have not released a complete list of all cases where the same witnesses were deployed, and investigations are continuing.
