Don't Get Colonial! Kerala High Court Says Police Stations Can't Be "Areas Of Terror", Should Be Approachable For Women & Children

Justice Devan Ramachandran said police officers are public servants and police stations are public offices. Thus, citizens should feel welcome to enter a police station.

“We owe our duty to the Constitution of India, and we are now expected to act in a civil and professional manner because of the Constitutional mandate. It has taken us 75 years for this Nation to travel so much and then for me to tell the police, please don't get colonial. This is all that is worrying me,” the judge observed orally.

Court said the police force should acquire a modern outlook and behave in a civilized manner with the citizens. It said that humility should be the hallmark of the police force and not arrogance. Court added that police officers have wide powers under the statute and if their behaviour is not regulated, it will remain unchecked. It emphasized that police should never use bad language to terrorize citizens.

“I am looking at a stage where a citizen will consider police as a friend. I want women and children to go to the police station without fear and ask for help. Is it possible now? I do not know. Will any lady or child be daring to go into a police station? Why are police stations made areas of terror? Times must change, times have changed for the better, have the police changed? I do not know if times have changed for the police. I would be the happiest person if you convince me that the police have changed,” said the Judge.

The Court stated that the word police should resonate to mean protection and service and it must never mean that they can terrorize people.

It stated police cannot make excuses that they behaved in an uncivilized manner to the citizens in the heat of the moment. It went on to state that if action is not taken against police officers who misbehave with citizens, then that would affect the morale of a good police officer who is discharging his duties sincerely.

The bench was dealing with contempt petitions for violating the judgment of the Court that police should not misbehave with the citizens. The Court had earlier issued orders directing the police not to use 'Abusive Vocatives' against the citizens. Pursuant to the directions of the Court, the State Police Chief had issued a circular. Despite this, the Court was faced with contempt petitions alleging uncivilized police behaviour from police officers.

Earlier, the State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb appeared before the Court virtually and assured that steps would be taken to transform the police department. An additional circular was also issued by the State Police Chief to ensure civilized behaviour from the police and to prevent the usage of abusive vocatives against citizens.

The Court has directed the Government Pleader to submit a report before it regarding the action taken against police officers who violated the orders of the Court and exhibited uncivilized behaviour.

Case title: Mahesh v Anilkant & Connected Matters

Case number: Contempt Case(C) No. 869 OF 2023(S) In WP(C) 11880/2021 & Connected Matters