FATHER JOSE PRAKSH Vs. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner, the patron of Jesus Boat Club, Kolam which is participating in important boat races all over the state including Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Chambakulam Moolam Boat race, has approached this court complaining that the 2nd respondent - the Circle Inspector of Police is harassing the petitioner and member of his Boat Club without any justifiable reasons.Hence, this writ petition under Article 226 is instituted seeking a direction restraining the 2nd respondent from harassing the petitioner's Boat Club members by interfering with the preparatory practices for and the participation in the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race which is slated for 13/8/2011.

(2.) ON considering the writ petition for admission, we directed the learned Government Pleader to seek instructions immediately from the respondents regarding the correctness of the accusations contained in this writ petition. Today, the learned Government Pleader submitted that it is absolutely incorrect to say that the 2nd respondent is harassing the petitioner or any members of hisBoat Club. At Chambakulam Moolam Boat race, in which the petitioner's club finished a very close runner up, there were altercations and assaults between the members of the petitioner's club and those of the winning club. This resulted in people sustaining bodily injuries. The Sub Inspector of Police, Ambalapuzha and two police personnel also sustained serious injuries due to blows inflicted by the members of the petitioner's club and the Needumudi police station has registered Crime No.177/2011 arraying as many as three members of the petitioner's club as accused. Among other offences, the offence under Section 307 IPC is also alleged. Presence of the petitioner and members of his club was requested only in connection with the investigation of that crime. Many members of the petitioner's club are absconding and it is likely that at least some of them will have to be arrayed as accused. The respondents have absolutely no objection to the petitioner's club participating in the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. Nothing will be done by the respondents which will cause any hurdle on the way of the petitioner's club participating in the Nehru Trophy boat race.