SHAHARBAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These matters are connected by a common thread of alleged harassment of the petitioners by the respondent police officers who stand impleaded in their personal capacity. The petitioners complain before this Court that their kith and kin have been taken into illegal custody by the respondent Police in connection with Crime No.1548/2018 of the Central Police Station ('Abhimanyu murder case') and that they have been detained for hours together even without permitting them to answer the calls of nature. The petitioners also seek for taking appropriate disciplinary action against the police officers, besides seeking for payment of compensation.

(2.) When the matters were filed before this Court, a doubt was noted by the Registry as to whether the prayers with respect to the alleged illegal detention, coupled with the prayers for taking disciplinary action and also for granting compensation would lie together in the writ petition. The matter was listed before this Court in the 'defect list' and this Court directed the Registry to have them numbered, leaving the question open to be considered in the due course.

(3.) Heard Sri.A.Rajasimhan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in all the cases and Sri.Sohan, the learned State Attorney, at length.