The Bombay High Court has once again taken a hard line against the Maharashtra police for persisting with FIRs that stem from “stranger” complaints concerning the Shalarth portal. The portal, designed to digitise service and salary records of school employees, is being misused to lodge unverified grievances, prompting the court to intervene.

Judicial Observations

Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad remarked that the police appear to be “thinking they are real lords with law under them.” They warned that such frivolous FIRs not only risk pushing teachers into depression but also disrupt the functioning of educational institutions.

Special Investigation Team (SIT) Under Scrutiny

Earlier in May 2026, the same bench had pulled up the SIT that was set up to probe misuse of the Shalarth portal. The court emphasized that baseless complaints could have severe repercussions on the health and livelihoods of teachers, urging the team to halt the registration of such cases.

Government Response and Next Steps

The court summoned the Superintendent of Police (Rural) of Nashik to appear on July 20. It also directed the state’s chief secretary and Director General of Police to take cognizance of the issue. Although the state government had issued a Government Resolution (GR) prohibiting the acceptance of stranger complaints, the judges observed that many officers continue to flout this order.

Implications for the Education Sector

If the police do not adhere to the court’s directives, schools may face a surge in unwarranted legal challenges related to staff appointments, potentially eroding teacher morale. Legal analysts suggest that the court’s firm stance could set a precedent, curbing similar misuse across other public sectors.