Former police officer Ying Yu-tai withdrew his application for a judicial review of his dismissal at the High Court on 8 September 2026, saying he feared he would be unable to pay potential legal costs of up to HK$500,000 to HK$600,000 if he lost. The estimate was reported by Ming Pao.
Ying was dismissed in October 2025 and filed the judicial review in January 2026. He sought to overturn the decision, arguing that it was unlawful, unreasonable or disproportionate, and that the disciplinary hearing breached procedural and natural justice.
The proposed respondent was Commissioner of Police Chow Wai-ming. Ying’s application was withdrawn before the High Court ruled on whether the dismissal was lawful, reasonable or procedurally fair.
Ying represented himself at the hearing, while no representative for the respondent attended, according to Ming Pao. The judge confirmed the withdrawal and made no order as to costs.
The case followed allegations arising from an incident during Ying’s off-duty hours in 2017. Reports said he was accused of filming up a woman’s skirt on an escalator at Mong Kok MTR station, and that a miniature camera was found in his shoe.
Ying was later acquitted in the related criminal case. Ming Pao reported that police did not find footage of the alleged filming on the camera. The magistrate considered Ying dishonest but acquitted him because of reasonable doubt.
The source reports did not provide the full reasons for the dismissal or details of the disciplinary proceedings. The withdrawal means the High Court did not determine the legal challenges Ying had raised against the decision.