Allahabad High Court: Finds Police Involvement in Kanpur Hotel Negi Grand Looting

• The Allahabad High Court found initial evidence of police involvement in the alleged looting of Hotel Negi Grand in Kanpur.
• The court ordered the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur Nagar, to appear in person on November 26, 2026, with a personal affidavit.
• The investigation into the incident was deemed seriously deficient by the High Court.
• Police personnel were reportedly present at the scene while the hotel was being ransacked and property damaged.
• The case involves a petition filed by Preeti Bajpai, who also impleaded Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Kapil Dev Singh.

The bench explicitly stated that the initial evidence pointing to the involvement of senior police personnel necessitated direct oversight of the investigation by the district's highest-ranking police official.

The Allahabad High Court has identified a preliminary indication of police personnel's involvement in the alleged ransacking and looting of Hotel Negi Grand in Kanpur. The court noted that law enforcement officials were observed at the location while the property was being vandalized. This observation formed a critical part of the court's assessment, which also raised questions about the thoroughness of the investigating officer's work.

According to an extract from the case diary dated April 16, 2026, which the court reviewed, the incident involved the demolition of a hotel wall by a JCB machine, leading to a significant gathering of people. Following this demolition, individuals identified as Vivek Gupta, Ravikant Bajpai, Brijesh Singh, and Yogesh Singh, along with their associates, reportedly entered the hotel premises. The diary further detailed extensive damage to the hotel's interior, including windows, doors, cupboards, television sets, CCTV cameras, and digital video recorders, with numerous items allegedly removed from the property.

In response to these findings, the High Court issued a directive for the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur Nagar, to appear in person on November 26, 2026. The court emphasized that the matter demanded immediate attention from the highest levels of the police administration, requiring the Commissioner to present a personal affidavit during the appearance. This order came from a division bench comprising Justices Ajay Bhanot and Divesh Chandra Samant.

The court's decision stemmed from its finding that the affidavit submitted by the investigating officer was unsatisfactory and revealed significant shortcomings in the investigation process. The bench explicitly stated that the initial evidence pointing to the involvement of senior police personnel necessitated direct oversight of the investigation by the district's highest-ranking police official.

The court was presiding over a criminal miscellaneous writ petition initiated by Preeti Bajpai, which pertained to the alleged looting of Hotel Negi Grand. On October 24, 2026, the court granted permission for Ms. Bajpai to include Kapil Dev Singh, who serves as the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police for Kanpur Nagar, as a respondent in the case. This addition followed the submission of a supplementary affidavit that specifically alleged Mr. Singh's direct participation in the incident.

Evidence presented to the court, including CCTV footage and videos recorded by individuals present at the scene, reportedly showed police personnel moving around the site during the alleged incident, which was said to have commenced around 9 AM. The case diary also recorded that the individuals named were seen taking control of the hotel's lawn after its boundary wall was demolished and were observed carrying away articles from the property. The court's examination of these materials led to its conclusion regarding the prima facie involvement of police.

The Allahabad High Court's strong stance highlights a critical need for transparency and accountability within the police force, particularly when allegations of misconduct or complicity arise. By mandating the personal appearance of the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur Nagar, the court has signaled its intent to ensure that the investigation is conducted with the utmost integrity and under direct senior leadership.

Furthermore, to broaden the scope of oversight, the court directed that a copy of its order be transmitted to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, in Lucknow, through the government advocate. This measure aims to elevate awareness of the serious allegations and the court's directives to the highest echelons of the state's police administration, reinforcing the expectation of a thorough and impartial inquiry into the alleged police involvement in the Kanpur Hotel Negi Grand looting.

Lawyers representing clients alleging police misconduct or complicity in property disputes should note this ruling as a precedent for judicial intervention and accountability. The court's demand for the personal appearance of the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur Nagar, signals a strong stance against investigative deficiencies and potential high-level involvement, which can be leveraged in similar cases to ensure thorough investigation and oversight.

Source: Original reporting via Bar and Bench