SC summons Kerala ACP over failure to register FIR

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Kerala Police’s failure to register a formal FIR despite receiving a complaint by post, and directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam district, to personally appear before it with an explanation.

A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan said the affidavit filed by the state of Kerala pursuant to an earlier order was "thoroughly unsatisfactory" as it failed to answer the core issue raised by the top court.

"We find the same to be thoroughly unsatisfactory as the basic point, as to why, immediately upon receipt of the complaint filed by the petitioner, a formal FIR was not registered, has not been answered," the Justice Amanullah-led Bench observed in its order passed on May 8.

The apex court recorded that it was an admitted position that the complaint sent through post had been received by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ernakulam district, on January 8.

"Accordingly, we direct the Assistant Commissioner of Police, District Ernakulam, Kerala, to be personally present before the Court on 15.05.2026… to explain, as to why, upon receipt of the complaint through post, no formal FIR was registered," the order stated.

It also extended the interim protection earlier granted to the petitioner on February 19 till the next date of hearing.

The protection restrains coercive action against the petitioner in connection with FIR No.10 of 2026 registered at Panangad Police Station in Ernakulam City, subject to his cooperation in the investigation and trial.