VIJAYAWADA: The High Court has emphasised that police officers must wear uniforms while performing official duties, questioning how citizens can identify plainclothes personnel as law enforcement.
The observation was made during a hearing on a quash petition filed by former YSRCP MLA Nallapareddy Prasanna Kumar Reddy, who sought dismissal of a case registered against him by Dargamitta police in Nellore.
The case was based on a complaint by a Special Branch head constable, alleging Reddy obstructed duty and assaulted the officer during YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s visit to Nellore.
Rejecting the public prosecutor’s argument that Special Branch and intelligence officers are exempt from uniform regulations, the court cited Supreme Court rulings that mandate police to be in uniform while making arrests.
The court directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to submit the police dress code manual and asked the prosecution to provide video footage and the case diary to substantiate Reddy’s role. The hearing was adjourned to September 8.
Reddy’s counsel claimed the former MLA was not present at the scene and did not assault the constable, presenting photographs as evidence and seeking protection from arrest.
However, Public Prosecutor M Lakshminarayana countered that Reddy and his supporters attacked the constable, who required surgery for his injuries. The constable, not in uniform, was inspecting vehicles at the time of the incident, the court noted.
The prosecution stated that nine witnesses had been examined and argued that Reddy’s actions created a law-and-order issue. They also pointed out that protection from arrest should be sought through anticipatory bail, not a quash petition.
The court reiterated that allegations made by officers in uniform carry more legal weight and emphasised the importance of evidence to support any such claims during ongoing investigations.