SRINAGAR: A Jammu court has ordered registration of an FIR against Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Jasrotia over allegations of assault and misconduct involving JKAS officer Azhar Khan during election-related duties in November 2025.
City Judge and Judicial Magistrate First Class Jammu Ghulam Murtaza, in an order passed on September 5, also directed SSP Jammu to take appropriate action against the then officer in charge of Police Station Gandhi Nagar for allegedly failing to register an FIR on Khan’s complaint.
The directions followed an application filed by Khan, who is currently posted as Block Development Officer, Nagrota, seeking registration of a case against Jasrotia and other police personnel accompanying him in connection with an incident reported on November 10, 2025.
At the time of the alleged incident, Jasrotia was serving as SDPO City South Jammu. Khan alleged that he was assaulted, restrained and subjected to misconduct by police personnel, including the then SDPO and his personal security officers, while carrying out election-related duties.
Khan approached the court after his complaint to Police Station Gandhi Nagar allegedly did not lead to registration of an FIR despite the disclosure of cognisable offences. He sought directions under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
While considering the application, the court examined material gathered during a preliminary inquiry, including statements of independent witnesses and CCTV footage of the incident. The court held that the material warranted a formal investigation and consequently directed registration of an FIR in accordance with law.
The court also took note of the alleged failure to register the case at Police Station Gandhi Nagar and directed SSP Jammu to take appropriate action against the police officer responsible.
For ensuring an impartial probe, the court ordered that the investigation be conducted fairly by a police officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or above who has no connection with the incident.
The court considered the statutory provisions governing registration of information concerning cognisable offences, including the relevant provisions of the BNSS dealing with preliminary inquiry and the legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court regarding registration of FIRs where a cognisable offence is disclosed.
The allegations against the police personnel will now be subject to investigation. The court’s order directing registration of an FIR does not constitute a finding of guilt against Jasrotia or any other person named in the complaint.
The application was disposed of with directions for registration of the case, appropriate action against the concerned police station officer and an independent investigation.
