Arrest is not to harm or punish anyone: High Court

KOCHI: The High Court has stated that the power of the investigating agencies to arrest the accused is not for harming or punishing people. The division bench also directed the DGP to ensure that the directions given by the Supreme Court regarding the arrest in Arnesh Kumar case are strictly followed.

Thrissur Olukkara native Mohammed Rafi filed plea for contempt of court stating that he has been arrested without following the Supreme court instructions and anticipatory bail proceedings. The division bench comprising Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice C P Muhammed Riyas has declared this. The petitioner alleged that he had been arrested by Vadakancherry SI M V Sathish Kumar without following any proceedings.

Although the investigating officer explained that the court has disposed of the plea in 2018 and the arrest in was 2022, the High Court opined that the guidelines of the Supreme Court were not followed. The officer expressed regret by clarifying that the omission was not deliberate. In view of this, the contempt of court proceedings were terminated. Although the petitioner asked for compensation, the High Court clarified that appropriate legal action can be taken against it.