The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their delay in arresting two Madhya Pradesh police officers accused in the custodial death of 26-year-old Deva Pardhi, observing that the arrests took place only after the Court issued stern warnings of contempt.

A Bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan was hearing a contempt petition alleging willful disobedience of the Court's earlier direction , passed on May 15, to arrest the officers.

The Court noted that the CBI had now filed an affidavit stating that both absconding officers have been arrested - one on September 27 and the other on October 5.

Expressing displeasure, Justice Nagarathna remarked,

“What happened all these days? Why couldn't you trace them?

See Full Page