The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations that Chandigarh police abducted dentist Mohit Dhawan.
On August 6, Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah ruled that an independent investigation by the CBI was necessary.
This decision follows a petition from the Union Territory of Chandigarh challenging a March 2023 order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had set up a special investigation team of Punjab police to look into the alleged abduction.
The case began with accusations by foreign nationals against Dhawan for charging excessive treatment fees, leading to an FIR by Chandigarh police. Dhawan, seeking anticipatory bail, claimed he was abducted by Chandigarh police while reporting to a magistrate’s court. He alleged harassment linked to former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana and other officers.
The Supreme Court found that the situation involved serious constitutional and legal violations affecting personal liberty. The Court stated, “We think that although this matter springs from a complaint at the hands of the foreign nationals… it may have taken a course in utter violation of the Constitution and the laws.”
The Court directed the CBI to determine whether Dhawan was brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest and if his detention amounted to abduction.
