V.Indhumathi v. The Commissioner Of Police, Chennai

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20.04.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.CHANDRASEKHARAN

1. V.Indhumathi

2. N.Vijay ... Petitioners Vs.

1. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai City Police, Vepery, Chennai.

2. The Inspector of Police, M-3, Puzhal Police Station, Puzhal, Chennai.

... Respondents PRAYER : This Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C., to direct the second Respondent Police not to harass the Petitioners under the guise of enquiry.

For Petitioners : Mr.S.Elumalai For Respondents R1 and R2 : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Criminal side)

ORDER

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed directing the second Respondent Police not to harass the Petitioners under the guise of enquiry.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are unnecessarily harassed by the respondents, on the basis of the complaint given by one Chandran. Therefore, this petition.

3. In response, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that one Chandran gave a complaint against the petitioners alleging the forgery and fabrication of documents. On the basis of his complaint, enquiry is pending in C.No.195/23/w2/pG1/23, dated 23.03.2023.

4. Considered the submissions and perused the records.

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 of

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

6. In the present case in hand, the petitioners have 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 petitioners may not be the same to the police officer.

7. In order to meet 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 summon/notice, 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 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.

8. With the above directions, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of. 20.04.2023 Internet : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Speaking/Non speaking order mn

To

1. The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai City Police, Vepery, Chennai.

2. The Inspector of Police, M-3, Puzhal Police Station, Puzhal, Chennai.

3.The Public Prosecutor Madras High Court.

G.CHANDRASEKHARAN,J.

mn 20.04.2023