J.Rajeev Gandhi v. The Superintendent Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.01.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.CHANDRASEKHARAN Crl.O.P.No.1219 of 2023 J.Rajeev Gandhi ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Superintendent of Police, Thiruvarur District, Thiruvarur.

2.The Inspector of Police, Peralam Police Station, Thiruvarur District.

... Respondents PRAYER : This Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., to direct the 1st respondent to direct the 2nd respondent not to harass the petitioner and his family members.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Sankarasubbu For Respondents : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Criminal Side) 1/6

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition is filed for directing the 2nd respondent not to harass the petitioner and his family members on the guise of enquiry.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that petitioner is unnecessarily harassed by the respondent police on the guise of enquiry.

3. In response, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) submitted that petitioner is a history sheeter and he has 17 cases pending against him. Only in connection with the pending cases, he was called for enquiry.

4. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner and learned Government Advocate (crl.side) for the respondent.

5. This Court, exercising its power under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code normally would not interfere with the investigation conducted by a police officer. Nevertheless, it would also not turn a blind eye to instances 2/6

of harassment by the police under the guise of investigation is brought to its notice.

6. In the present case in hand, the petitioner has complained of harassment by the police based on a complaint and seek for this Court's intervention by way of a direction. The term 'harassment' by itself has a very wide meaning and hence, what could be harassment to the petitioner may not be the same to the police officer.

7. In order to circumvent such situations, the following guidelines are issued:

a)While summoning any person named in the complaint or any witness to the incident complained of, the police officer shall summon such person through a written summon under Section 160 Cr.P.C., specifying a particular date and time for appearing before them for such an enquiry/investigation. b) The respondent/Police is directed to serve summons mentioning the 3/6

CSR number, date of complaint and the name of the complainant. c)The minutes of the enquiry shall be recorded in the general diary/station diary/daily diary of the police station.

d)The police officer shall refrain himself or herself from harassing persons called upon for enquiry/investigation.

e)The guidelines stipulated for preliminary enquiry or registration of FIR by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Lalita Kumari Vs. Government of Uttar Pradesh and others [2014 (2) SCC (1)] shall be strictly adhered to. f) If any cognizable offence is committed, then it is open to the respondent police to take appropriate action or else they should not interfere with the civil dispute between the parties.

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8. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of.

20.01.2023 Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking/Non speaking order gd To 1.The Superintendent of Police, Thiruvarur District, Thiruvarur.

2.The Inspector of Police, Peralam Police Station, Thiruvarur District.

3.The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

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G.CHANDRASEKHARAN,J.

gd Crl.O.P.No.1219 of 2023 20.01.2023 6/6