Can complainant seek status reports of investigation from the police?

[Anonymous]

I gave a report to the police for the offence of theft and a case was registered by the police and investigation is started. The accused person was known. However in spite of a period of six months had elapsed, the police had not filed the chargesheet as yet. It is not known what has been done by the police during this period of six months. Can I see status report of the investigation done by the police during this period? Is the police not accountable for the lapses in the investigation since as per my knowledge, the police is yet to arrest the accused person and is yet to recover the property which was stolen in this offence?

[Dr. Ashok Dhamija]

There is no legal provision allowing a formal procedure for seeking status report of the investigation from the police. At the same time, being the complainant, you can contact the investigating officer to find out the progress of the investigation, and the officer may give you a broad idea of the stage of investigation. If you feel that the investigation is not being conducted properly and/or is delayed, you may also contact the superior officers of police requesting them to monitor the investigation or change the investigating officer, if needed.

     

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Dr. Ashok Dhamija is a New Delhi based Supreme Court Advocate and author of law books. Read more about him by clicking here. List of his Forum Replies. List of his other articles. List of his Quora Answers. List of his YouTube Videos.

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