Thiruvananthapuram, October 27 (BPNS)
With police misconduct becoming a regular affair in the state, the Kerala High Court on Thursday intervened and issued directions to the State Police Chief. Considering a petition, which alleged a minor girl was subjected to verbal abuse by a policeman, Justice Devan Ramachandran said that good behaviour and civilized conduct by police officers is not merely desideratum, by an obligation. The court then directed the police chief to file a compliance report detailing how the court’s directions insisting police to behave well has been followed. The matter will again be heard on November 10.
“If the superior authorities were not taking necessary action in cases of misdemeanor and misfeasance by the officers, the court would have no qualms in holding them personally liable for the same,” said Ramachandran.
Though the government pleader informed the court that the police chief had issued a circular stressing the importance of politeness, the court noted that it is not merely sufficient.
“The police chief issues circulars. But it should be ensured that every police officer adheres and abides by the same. The compliance report is woefully wanting in this regard,” added Ramachandran in his order.
According to him, the court certainly requires further information from the police chief as to the manner in which the said circular has been implemented across the state and among all the officers in the hierarchy of ranks.
The other day, the police chief had directed that using force must be limited in such situations as stipulated by the law. He also added that if an officer is using force if someone obstructs the former from discharging duty, it should be lawful.
He said this after convening a meeting of Zone IGs, Ranges DIGs, and district police chiefs via online.
He also added that the respective district police chiefs must have an idea of the incidents happening at various police stations under their jurisdiction. For that, the district special branch will have to heighten its operation.
The chief also stressed the need of following procedures, as listed in the law, while bringing persons to police stations concerning cases or criminal activities. The duty of ensuring the medical examination of persons will rest with sub-divisional police officers and respective station house officers.
Another major direction given by the police chief is that the district police chiefs will have to visit police stations under their jurisdiction at regular intervals.
The other day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also stated that stern action will be taken against those officers who tarnish the reputation of the police force. In a Facebook post, the CM said that even with a long list of achievements, some incidents have tarnished the image of the police force.
The CM’s comment as well the police chief’s directive has come on various incidents of police atrocities, especially the one that took place at the Kilikolloor Police Station in Kollam where two brothers, one of them an Army personnel, got beaten up badly by some officers for a petty issue.
ENDS
