The Supreme Court on September 23, 2025 heard a contempt petition filed by Deva Pardhi’s mother (petitioner), alleging that the CBI had violated the Court’s earlier order by failing to arrest the police officers responsible for her son’s death.
The case arose after 25-year-old Deva Pardhi was arrested in a theft case along with his uncle, Gangaram Pardhi, by the Madhya Pradesh Police. However shortly after the arrest, Deva died, reportedly of a heart attack, though his mother alleged that he had been tortured to death under police custody. Earlier, the Court, upon reviewing the matter, transferred the investigation to the CBI on May 15, 2025, after finding evidence that the local police had attempted to tamper with the probe. The Court also directed the CBI to arrest the two officers involved within 90 days and to ensure protection for Gangaram Pardhi, the sole eyewitness.
Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan, noting the non-compliance, ordered that contempt proceedings be initiated against the Chief Secretary, CBI Director, and the investigating Additional Superintendent. It directed the CBI to file a status report detailing steps taken to trace and arrest the two absconding officers, with affidavits due by Thursday. The matter has been listed for further hearing on September 25.