T V MADHAVAN VAIDYER Vs. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONERS complain harassment by the police. In short, their case is that they are paramparya vaidyas belonging to Malabar area of the State of Kerala. They relied on Ext.P3 order passed by the Government in support of their claim that they are entitled to practise. Their complaint is that respondent police officers and excise officers are interfering with their practice.

(2.) LEARNED Government Pleader, on instructions, would submit as follows: In the aftermath of the recent hooch tragedy police officers and excise officers tightened their surveillance. He would submit that in some cases violations of law are being found. He would further submit that apart from conducting lawful investigation/search as empowered by law they will not pressurize the petitioners to close down their practice. There is also reference in the writ petition to the writ petition filed against the practice being conducted by the petitioners. We make it clear that the police officers and excise officers will be free to carry on any investigation/search /inspection as they are advised to do and for which they have authority in law. We also make it clear that if there is any order by any competent Court, it will be open to them to act in terms of the said order necessarily. However, we record the submission of the learned Government Pleader that, apart from the above neither the police officers nor the excise officers will compel the petitioners to close down their practice. The writ petition is disposed of in terms of the above.