Courts must not interfere in cop probe: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the police hold sole authority over crime investigations and should be granted discretion by courts, barring exceptional circumstances. The Court quashed a Bombay High Court order granting an extension for filing a chargesheet against a Popular Front of India (PFI) member whose bail was later granted due to default.

The bench argued that courts have no right to dictate when an investigation should conclude and must respect the police's statutory powers to probe cognizable crimes. They emphasized that the police, via their department, are duty-bound to investigate offenses and apprehend perpetrators. The Court also highlighted the importance of the investigating agency analyzing data from seized electronic devices to link accused individuals to terrorist activities and financial transactions related to those activities.