KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought an explanation from Tamil Nadu police on how it allowed complainants in a case to accompany police officers during an arrest.
The court questioned the police procedures following a petition filed by N Prakash of Ernakulam, who is seeking to register an FIR against some individuals who allegedly trespassed into his home and unlawfully arrested him. The court has named the station house officer (SHO) of Puliyangudi station in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, as a party to the proceedings.
In his petition, Prakash stated that on July 28, the SHO from Tenkasi, dressed in uniform, along with two persons in civilian clothes, entered his house claiming that there was an FIR lodged against the complainant at the Puliyangudi station and a warrant for his arrest.
Prakash said they assaulted him and forcibly placed him in a car. His arrest was officially recorded, and he was remanded to judicial custody at the Central Jail in Palayamkottai for about a month. He was later released on bail and subsequently filed a complaint with the Kerala police regarding the illegal arrest and trespass. However, he stated, no action has been taken by the police.
Meanwhile, the government pleader pointed out that an FIR was indeed registered by the Maradu police based on Prakash’s complaint over his alleged kidnap by a person in a police uniform and two others in civil dress. However, the investigation revealed that the petitioner was arrested by the Puliyangadi police in a case registered on charges of criminal breach of trust and cheating.