SANTHOSH MAHESHWAR Vs. CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The 1st petitioner, who is stated to be a Tax Practitioner, and petitioners 2 to 4, who are the family members of the 1st petitioner, have filed this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus commanding respondents 1 and 2 to provide them adequate and effective police protection from the acts of respondents 4 to 6 and their men.

(2.) Going by the averments in the writ petition, the 4th respondent was the Secretary of the 1 st petitioner. The 5th respondent is the husband of the 4th respondent and the 6th respondent is a friend of the 4th respondent. In the writ petition it is alleged that the 1st petitioner is continuously threatened by respondents 4 to 6 for ransom. The 1 st petitioner preferred Ext.P3 complaint before the State Police Chief; the 1st respondent City Police Commissioner, Kollam; and the 2nd respondent Station House Officer, East Police Station. Alleging that on 14.03.2020, respondents 4 to 6 chased the 1st petitioner's motorbike for almost 3 kilometers to assassinate him, Ext.P5 complaint dated 14.03.2020 was filed before the 2nd respondent Station House Officer.

(3.) On 19.06.2020, when this writ petition came up for admission, this Court admitted the matter on file. The learned Senior Government Pleader took notice for respondents 1 to 3. The petitioners were directed to take out notice for respondents 4 to 6. While ordering the writ petition to be listed on 14.07.2020, this Court granted an interim order directing respondents 1 and 2 to provide adequate and effective police protection to the petitioners and their office, till then. The said interim order, which was extended from time to time, was extended by two weeks on 08.09.2020.