Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging Camp Followers Being 'Enslaved' By IPS Officers

The Kerala High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that alleged that camp workers, who are engaged in the armed police battalions for domestic work of senior officers, were ill-treated, 'enslaved', and forced to perform 'menial' work.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly dismissed the petition upon being convinced by the submissions made by the State, denying all the aforesaid allegations.

In the plea filed through Advocate PD Joseph, the petitioner had sought to redress the alleged atrocities and human rights violations meted out to the camp followers. He also sought appointment of an Advocate Commissioner to submit a report on the alleged brutal attack on a camp follower (a driver) by the ADGP's daughter.

More importantly, he had prayed that a sitting Judge of the Thiruvananthapuram District & Principal Sessions Court be appointed to enquire into the alleged misuse of Government vehicles and unauthorized exploitation of services of camp followers for domestic work of the superior officers.

The petitioner contended that the camp followers silently tolerate such atrocities and human rights violations, due to fear of termination from service.

He further argued that it was high time to investigate such illegal activities adopted in the police department, to prevent the violation of fundamental rights and miscarriage of justice. 

In response, the Assistant Inspector General of Police filed a detailed counter affidavit, setting out the steps taken as regards the recruitment and functioning of the camp followers across the State.

Regarding the attack by an IPS officer's daughter on a camp worker, it was submitted that two cases had been registered for which the investigation was underway by the Crime Branch.

The counter-affidavit also clarified that drivers in the Police department are not Camp Followers as wrongly suggested by the petitioner herein. They are included in the technical category and have a separate mode of intake and employment.

It was further submitted that currently there were 1231 Camp Followers working as cooks, dhobis, sweepers, barbers, sanitary workers and water carriers. 

"The categories such as Dhobi, Cook, Sweeper and so on are recruited to do washing, cooking and cleaning for the staff of the Camps and Camp Offices which are Government buildings functioning as offices. To classify such duties as 'Menial' or derogatory is not correct and goes against the principle of dignity of labour," the Assistant Inspector General of Police submitted.  

As such it was alleged that there was no slavery in doing the work of cleaning or cooking, as these are noble professions and the petitioner's thoughts are a result of a mischievous and confused mind. 

"The allegation of slavery raised by the writ petitioner is totally baseless, mischievous and an attempt to demoralize a force with an apparent motive to cause dissension. It also appears to be an attempt to incite disaffection among the Police force," the counter-affidavit read.  

He further assured the Court that no criminal behavior by police officers will be protected and that the department is following "zero tolerance" towards police atrocities.

The Court was convinced with the submissions made by the respondents. 

The party in person also submitted that he did not intend to press the reliefs sought. Accordingly, the PIL was dismissed.  

The petitioner represented himself in the matter, being a member of the Kollam Bar Association. Senior Government Pleader Tek Chand appeared for the respondents.

Case Title: P.D Joseph v State of Kerala & Anr.

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