The Supreme Court has issued notice to the State of Haryana on a plea filed by a woman lawyer alleging sexual harassment and physical abuse by Gurugram police officials. The incident allegedly took place when she had gone to Sector 50 police station with her client in connection with a matrimonial matter.
A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and A.G. Masih passed the order after hearing senior advocate Priya Hingorani, representing the woman petitioner. Notices have been issued to the Haryana government, Haryana Police and the Station House Officer (SHO) of the concerned police station.
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Earlier, the Court had asked the counsel for the petitioner to produce the FIR filed by the Gurugram police against the woman lawyer. Upon submission of the copy, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra remarked:
“Why did you (petitioner) go to the police station? This is what happens when lawyers go to the police station… A lawyer should confine himself to the court!”
In response, Priya Hingorani pointed out that the petitioner had only accompanied her client, and raised concerns about the conduct of police officers at the police station. She said the FIR filed against the petitioner was “absolutely false and unbelievable”.
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“In a police station, a woman lawyer will assault a police officer? This is absolutely unbelievable,” Priya Hingorani said.
However, Justice A.G. Masih responded, saying:
“The word you used—‘unbelievable’—is wrong. It may not have happened, that is a different aspect. Now things have completely changed. It is not that simple.”
The petitioner also filed a zero FIR in Delhi, which has reportedly been transferred back to the same Gurugram police station. Expressing concern over the fairness of the investigation, Priya Hingorani argued:
“The police officers against whom the complaint has been made are the ones now investigating the case. This is not possible.”
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She urged the Court to hand over all the related cases to the Delhi or Uttar Pradesh Police or any independent investigating agency.
During the hearing, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra said:
“The court cannot interfere just because the petitioner is a lawyer.”
To this, Priya Hingorani clarified that the petitioner was not seeking special treatment:
“I have not used the word ‘lawyer’ and I am not seeking any concession on that ground. I am talking about a woman who was trying to protect the interests of her client.”
The petitioner had also requested the Court to stay any coercive action against her. However, no such direction was passed. Instead, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra suggested:
“Why can’t you apply for anticipatory bail?”
Background of the case
The petitioner is a practising advocate and an executive member of the Tis Hazari Bar Association. On May 21, 2025, she went to Sector 50 police station in Gurugram with a client in connection with a marital dispute. She claims that when her client attempted to lodge a written complaint, police officers intervened, assaulted her and illegally detained her.
As per the allegations, two male officers sexually assaulted her and female officers also thrashed her. It is also alleged that the police officers attempted to make her drink an unknown liquid, which she refused.
Fearing more harassment and false litigation, the petitioner sought the following from the Supreme Court:
- Transfer and clubbing of the three FIRs,
- Disciplinary action against the officers involved,
- Police protection.
Case Title: AS v. STATE OF HARYANA, W.P.(Crl.) No. 235/2025
