The Kerala High Court recently called upon the police for their derogatory remarks and use of foul language with the citizens and directed the State Police Chief to instruct all officers to treat citizens with respect and file a report on the same.
Single Judge Justice Devan Ramchandaran said that the use of derogatory words to address the citizens is in complete contradiction to the Constitutional morality and conscience of our country. The Court noted that the petitions filed invoking the jurisdiction of the High Court in what is known as “police harassment matters.” It was also observed that the police officers who are disrespectful to the citizens should be suspended on an immediate basis.
Observation of the Court
The Court, therefore, felt it necessary to affirm that such actions on the part of police are unacceptable in a modern democratic society. With respect to the same, the Court directed the State Police Chief to remind all officers of their obligation to treat and address citizens with respect and submit a report about the action taken on the same.
“I direct the State Police Chief to issue necessary instructions, by way of circular or otherwise, to all members of the Force under his command that they shall address the citizens using acceptable vocatives and shall not use the aforementioned or such other words or phrases. Consequently, the State Police Chief will act as per the afore directions and inform this Court about the steps taken in this regard through a report to be filed within two weeks from the date of the receipt of a copy of this judgment”, the Court ordered.
The Court issued the direction pursuant to a petition, alleging certain police officers of harassing the petitioner and verbally abusing his daughter. The Court said that even during the pandemic, police cannot indulge in uncivilized behavior towards citizens to force their compliance with COVID protocol.
“When the entire world is reeling under the deleterious effects of COVID-19 pandemic, there can be no doubt that the citizens have to comply with the protocols put in place, but this cannot be done for whatever be the reasons in violation of civilized behavior and in contravention of the requirements of decency and civility which are inbuilt into the system of policing in a cultured society”, the Court said.
The Court highlighted the larger issue with respect to the manner in which citizens are treated by the police. The Court also observed that often, it is difficult for the citizen to prove that a police officer addressed him/her in a derogatory or abusive manner because such imputations are investigated by the police authorities themselves. Thus the Court declared, in no vague terms, that the use of disrespectful words to address citizens cannot be tolerated and permitted and directed the State Police Chief to file a report as to what steps are taken to ensure the same.
Case Details
Before: Kerala High Court
Case Title: Anil JS v. State of Kerala
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Devan Ramchandran
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