High Court Halts Arrest in Controversial Gangster Release Case

The Allahabad High Court granted a reprieve to Anil Kumar Gautam, the suspended Superintendent of Banda Jail, by staying his arrest amid allegations of illegally releasing a Noida-based gangster. Justices Rajeev Mishra and Satya Veer Singh gave their verdict on Gautam's appeal for FIR quashing and protection from custody.

The court ruled that Gautam should not be detained for Case Crime No. 64 of 2026, registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, during the ongoing investigation. Despite the interim relief, authorities can pursue their probe but are restrained from submitting a report to the magistrate under section 193(3) until the case concludes.

All respondents, including the state government, received notifications, with a six-week window to provide counter-affidavits. The hearing is set to continue on May 27. The case emerged from allegations filed by Jail Chowki in-charge Anurag Pandey, involving the disputed release of gangster Ravindra Singh.