Selective Prosecution Under Gangsters Act Undermines Rule of Law: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has strongly criticised selective investigation and prosecution under the U.P. Gangsters Act, observing that such practices corrode the rule of law and public trust.

The Court flagged systemic failures, including routine violations of bail conditions, repeated adjournments, and a lack of accountability of police officers and prosecutors.

It expressed concern that petty offenders are often targeted while organised crime remains largely unaffected.

It questioned the exclusion of District Magistrates in Commissionerate districts while approving gang charts and warned against misuse of police power against petty offenders while organised crime remains unaffected.

[Rajendra Tyagi & Ors. v. State of U.P. & Anr.]