In rare courtroom twist, lawyer daughter wins case against ex-IG father; restores sacked cop’s job, honour

In a real-life legal drama fit for the big screen, a daughter-lawyer and her former police chief father found themselves on opposite sides of a case — yet both insist there was no personal feud, according to a TOI report.

Advocate Anura Singh, practising at the Allahabad High Court, successfully fought for the reinstatement of UP Police head constable Tofeek Ahmad, who had been dismissed from service after being accused of molesting a minor.

On the other side was her father, retired Inspector General of Bareilly Range, Dr. Rakesh Singh, who had upheld Ahmad’s dismissal during his tenure.


The High Court, in its July 31 order, overturned both the departmental inquiry report and the dismissal, clearing the way for Ahmad’s return to duty. The compliance order will now be sent to the SSP Bareilly before his reinstatement is formalised.

'Just doing our jobs,' say both sides

Anura described the unusual courtroom moment as strictly professional. “My father was representing the government’s position, and I was defending my client. The High Court stands above any administrative authority — our job was to present the facts and secure justice,” she explained.

Dr. Singh agreed, adding, “I’m proud of her. She worked hard, argued within the legal framework, and achieved what she set out to do.”

For Anura, the case was about exposing flaws in the termination process, particularly since her client had been acquitted by a lower court due to investigative lapses, TOI further reported.

For Dr. Singh, his earlier decision reflected the department’s policy that an officer’s conduct must not tarnish its reputation, especially in sensitive cases involving the POCSO Act.

From accusation to acquittal & redemption

Ahmad’s ordeal began in January 2023, when he was arrested for allegedly molesting a 17-year-old girl, the daughter of a BSF jawan, aboard the Triveni Express. Following a departmental probe, IG Singh ordered his dismissal. Even after a court acquittal, Ahmad’s appeal for reinstatement was denied.

Unaware of his lawyer’s family connection, Ahmad approached Anura for help. She took on the case and convinced the court that the inquiry and disciplinary action were deeply flawed, noted the TOI report.

The revelation that his “saviour” was the daughter of the officer who had sacked him left Ahmad stunned. “She put truth above family ties and upheld the law. She gave me back my job and my honour,” he said.