Uttarakhand police complaints authority urges action over Dehradun Navy widow case

The Uttarakhand State Police Complaints Authority has asked the Home Department to recommend disciplinary action against two officers, including an IPS officer, over alleged inaction in a Dehradun robbery and house demolition case. The order cites gross negligence, failure to prevent harm, and failure to register an FIR, affecting complainant Kusum Kapoor.

The State Police Complaints Authority has asked for disciplinary action against two Uttarakhand police officers. The officers included an IPS officer. The move related to an alleged robbery and demolition at a former Navy officer’s house. The incident was reported from Clementown in Dehradun in January 2022.

The authority, led by retired judge N S Dhanik, said officers failed to act quickly. The order named the then SSP Janmejay Khanduri and the then Clementown SHO Narendra Gehlawat. It said the officers did not stop the looting and demolition. It also said an FIR was not registered then.

State Police Complaints Authority order on Uttarakhand police negligence

The authority said "gross negligence\" was committed by both officers during the case. It said the lapses led to serious harm for the complainant, Kusum Kapoor. The order listed economic, physical, mental, and social harm. It also said the failures violated Kusum Kapoor’s human rights.

The authority directed the Uttarakhand government’s Home Department to recommend disciplinary action. It also asked the department to inform the authority about the steps taken. A copy of the order was sent to the director general of police. The order also held both officers guilty of failing to prevent the incident.

Kusum Kapoor complaint on robbery and demolition in Dehradun

Kusum Kapoor is the widow of former naval officer Commodore Vinod Kumar Kapoor. Kusum Kapoor alleged living in the house for 25 years. Kusum Kapoor said the home was shared with an unmarried, mentally challenged daughter, Tina. Kusum Kapoor said the incident happened while Vinod Kumar Kapoor was in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Kusum Kapoor said Vinod Kumar Kapoor was away for medical treatment in January 2022. Kusum Kapoor alleged that 30 to 40 armed individuals entered the residence. Kusum Kapoor said domestic help and tenants were held hostage. Kusum Kapoor alleged valuables were looted and the house was demolished using a JCB machine.

Kusum Kapoor alleged that police were informed after the incident. Kusum Kapoor said no effective action followed within a proper time. Later, a case was registered after intervention by the then DGP. The order said the earlier delay and failure to register an FIR were key lapses.

IPS officer Janmejay Khanduri deputation and past Authority action

Janmejay Khanduri is a 2007 batch IPS officer. Janmejay Khanduri is currently on deputation with the National Crime Records Bureau NCRB. The authority said this was the second time it recommended action against an IPS officer. In December 2025, it recommended disciplinary action against Lokeshwar Singh, a 2014-batch officer.

The authority’s order placed responsibility on the two officers for the January 2022 case. It said the inaction worsened the harm faced by Kusum Kapoor. The Uttarakhand Home Department was told to move ahead on discipline and report back. The order was also shared with the director general of police.

With inputs from PTI