KOCHI: The High Court has ruled that the police should not misuse their authority to summon suspects and witnesses as part of an investigation. Justice Kauser Edappagath stated that police powers are not weapons to harass individuals and that laws exist to prevent such misuse.

The single bench made this observation while disposing of a petition filed against the Njarackal Sub-Inspector, who had issued a notice to a defense lawyer. The petition was filed by advocate K.K. Ajikumar, who was representing a couple from Bengal arrested under allegations of violating the Foreigners Act. The police had issued a notice to the lawyer demanding details of his communication with the accused, which the court deemed an abuse of power.

The court emphasized that a lawyer represents their client in legal proceedings and that lawyer-client communication is protected by legal privilege. The police have no authority to demand disclosure of such confidential exchanges. Issuing notices to obtain professional details from a lawyer constitutes an infringement on constitutional rights, the court ruled.

During the previous hearing, the court had summoned Njarackal SI Akhil Vijayakumar to appear in person. As the SI informed the court that the notice had been withdrawn, the petition was subsequently disposed of.