Fake judges also doing frauds; mufti police must show identity card before questioning, says High Court

KOCHI: The High Court has ordered that police officers on duty should carry a special order from higher authorities and their identity cards. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan has also ordered that if the police officers question anyone during patrolling, they should show their identity card. The court observed this while granting anticipatory bail to Kottayam native Shibin Shiad, an accused in the case of escaping by spraying pepper spray on the police officers who were questioning him on suspicion of possession of drugs.

"Many people are committing fraud by misusing the fake titles and uniforms of not only the police and CBI but also the judges. People cannot be blamed if they question the policemen in Mufti. It would be best for the policemen to wear uniforms considering their own safety," the court said.

The complaint is that on October 24, the Shibin Shiad and his associates attacked two police officers from Vakathanam station who had gone for a special drug check. The charges were assault and obstruction of official duty. The defence pointed out that the police officers were not in uniform and did not show their identity cards. It was argued that it cannot be said that the defendant obstructed the police officers in their duties.

The court examined the matter in detail. There is no mention of Mufti duty in the Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita or the Police Act. The police manual states that Mufti duty can be performed only if there is an order from the superior. The prosecution presented the special order of the SP in this case. The court found that Mufti duty was not prescribed in the order. The only non-bailable charge charged was that of using pepper spray. Anticipatory bail was granted with conditions on the basis that this would have to be proven in the investigation. The court also directed that the accused should appear before the investigating officer within three weeks.