In a rare instance of professional duty clashing with familial ties, a lawyer challenged her ex-Inspector General (IG) father's order dismissing a Uttar Pradesh (UP) police constable and successfully had it overturned in the Allahabad High Court. The case highlights the lawyer's commitment to justice and the rule of law, even when it meant arguing against her own father's decision.
The case revolves around Constable Taufiq Ahmad, who was accused of molestation in January 2023 by a 17-year-old girl while she was traveling on the Triveni Express. Following the complaint, a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Subsequently, the police department initiated a departmental inquiry, and Ahmad was dismissed from service. Ahmad was also jailed in connection with the case.
Ahmad's appeal against the dismissal was rejected by the then Bareilly Range IG, Rakesh Singh. Ahmad then approached the Allahabad High Court, where he appointed Advocate Anura Singh as his lawyer. Unbeknownst to Ahmad, Anura was the daughter of Rakesh Singh, the very officer who had dismissed him.
In court, Anura Singh argued that the departmental inquiry and subsequent dismissal order were flawed and did not comply with legal requirements, citing violations of the Uttar Pradesh Police Subordinate Ranks (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1991. She specifically pointed out that the inquiry officer had recommended punishment, a power that rests solely with the disciplinary authority. She contended that the inquiry officer had acted beyond his jurisdiction by recommending termination in the inquiry report which contravened Rule 14(1) and Appendix-I of the U.P. Police Officers of the Subordinate Ranks (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1991, which prohibit inquiry officers from suggesting specific punishments. She also relied on the Court's earlier ruling in Balbir Singh v. State of U.P. (2019), which upheld this interpretation.
During the proceedings, Rakesh Singh, the former IG, was summoned to defend the department's decision. While he maintained that the departmental decision was justified, Anura Singh highlighted the procedural lapses and alleged injustice to her client.
Justice Ajit Kumar of the Allahabad High Court concurred with Anura's arguments. The court found that the inquiry officer's report, which recommended dismissal, was indeed legally flawed. Consequently, the High Court quashed the departmental proceedings and ordered the Bareilly Police to reinstate Ahmad. The court directed Ahmad's reinstatement with a fresh inquiry to be completed within three months and stated that Ahmad will have the same status as he had before the termination. The judgment was delivered in July 2025.
Both Anura Singh and Rakesh Singh maintained that they approached the case professionally. Anura stated that she was simply doing her job and that the authority of the court stands above all personal equations. She also added that UP Police policy is clear: an officer's conduct must not compromise the department's reputation, and this case involved the Pocso Act. As the appellate authority, he had the power to deny reinstatement, but the HC stands above any govt office, which is why we sought and got relief. Rakesh Singh expressed pride in his daughter for upholding her professional duty. He acknowledged that he presented his case, and she presented hers and that for any father, this is a moment of pride.
Ahmad, upon learning of the family connection, expressed gratitude towards Anura, stating that she put truth above family ties and upheld her duty to the law and saved his job.
