The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed serious concern over apparent collusion between certain police officials and an alleged “chronic fraudster” facing multiple criminal cases, while observing that repeated efforts were apparently made over the past five years to shield the real culprits.The assertion came as the Bench made it clear that Hoshiarpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) was expected to personally oversee the entire matter and submit a status report through a personal affidavit before the next date of hearing.The matter was placed before Justice N S Shekhawat’s Bench after the accused filed a regular bail plea in a cheating case registered on April 11, 2024, at Sadar police station in Hoshiarpur under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC.As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Shekhawat observed that an affidavit filed by the SSP made it apparent that the petitioner was a chronic fraudster and till date nine FIRs had been ordered to be registered against him in districts of Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar.Expressing his concern over the manner in which the investigations had been conducted, Justice Shekhawat asserted: “However, there seems to be a collusion between the petitioner and certain police officers of district Hoshiarpur and even the persons, who received money in their accounts had been spared by the police, for the reasons best known to the Investigating Officers of the present case as well as other cases.”The Bench added that it appeared that every attempt was made by the police to shield the real culprits during the last five years. Hoshiarpur SP (Detective) Dr Manpreet, in turn, assured the court that the police would move an application before the competent court within a week seeking permission for further investigation in the present case. After obtaining the requisite permission, “the investigation shall be taken to its logical end”, the Bench was told.The SP further informed the court that the records of eight other cases registered against the petitioner would also be personally examined by Hoshiarpur SSP or other competent police officers. If required, further investigation would be conducted in those matters as well after following due process of law.Taking note of the assurance, the court asserted: “It is expected that SSP, Hoshiarpur, shall personally look into the entire matter and shall file a status report on or before the next date of hearing, by way of his personal affidavit,” the court directed. The matter has now been adjourned to July 16.