SIDDIQUE BABU I. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) An apparent surge in writ petitions alleging harassment to citizens by responsible Police Officers and Authorities have persuaded us to voice our opinion in this judgment on the inviolable desideratum of the members of the Police Force to act with self- control and tolerance and to treat citizens and all members of the public with respect and courtesy, acknowledging the rights of individuals and in using their powers, which is a part of the public trust entrusted with them, lawfully and proportionately.

(2.) In every civilized society, the public should be able to legitimately expect the Police to do the right thing in the right way; based on a code of good policing principles. The expectation of citizens to be treated fairly and with decency by the Police is at the core of all policing requisites; but we are seeing with unfortunate regularity that citizens rush to this Court alleging that certain Police Officers are acting in defiance or in deliberate contravention of accepted bahvioural and jurisdictional standards.

(3.) This case presents facts which illustrates how a Police Officer should never behave; and which errant behaviour has been found established in an internal enquiry by the Police Department themselves.