RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT KERALA 2012

FULL TEXT...KERALA RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT 2012 ENGLISH VERSION

Legal Action against criminal activity portrayed as Moral Policing - Kerala Police Circular

No.56/Camp/SPC/2012
          
Police Headquarters, Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram
Dated : 31/08/2012
CIRCULAR No. 27/2012
Sub :  Legal Action against criminal activity portrayed as Moral Policing –
 instructions issued- reg.
In many parts of the state, self-proclaimed enforcers of personal codes of conduct
commit crimes of intimidation, extortion, assault, hurt, murder etc; violate the privacy  of
the citizenry and impinge on the personal freedom of individuals. Described in common
parlance as ‘Moral Policing’,  the general characteristics of this illegal activity is an
attempt by certain individuals and groups to enforce self proclaimed codes of morality
and conduct. Very often, it is directed against women. Such conduct is neither moral, nor
is it policing having the sanction of law. In fact, such conduct is appropriately termed as
intimidatory, compulsive, conformity enforcement (ICCE).
It must clearly be understood, that in a democratic society, based on our collective
standards of morality, law defines what appropriate behaviour is; and what constitutes an
offence. The Constitution of India guarantees certain freedoms. When a citizen
undertakes any activity, in exercise of that freedom; the determination of whether such
activity is permitted under that freedom or not, is by law and law alone. No person or
group can impose either his or the group’s self proclaimed standards of morality, and
proceed to impose it forcefully on individuals exercising their fundamental freedoms in a
lawful manner. Such illegal interference would amount to criminal offences as defined in
the Indian Penal Code and other laws.                                                                                    
It is important for Police officers, engaged in the enforcement of law, to distinguish
between enforcing a Code of Laws, and enforcing a Code of Morals. Police enforce either
laws enacted by the legislature, or laws as interpreted by the judiciary.  Wherever there
are enacted laws promulgated by due constitutional authority, the Police follow due
procedure to enforce the law against those who break it.
Contrary to the above, any instance of intimidatory, compulsive, conformity
enforcement (ICCE) has necessarily to be dealt with sternly. Police Officers must be
properly aware about the dangers and implications of criminal activities described as
‘moral policing’. They are clearly not innocent or naive acts indulged in, by individuals
who adhere to a higher standard of morality than the rest of society. On the other hand,
these activities are motivated by extreme anti-social tendencies, or narrow, communal
and fundamentalist agendas which militate against basic constitutional values.  2
Whenever information on any such criminal activity is received by a Police Officer,
a case must be registered promptly and investigated in a speedy and efficient manner.
Suo-moto cases may be registered where appropriate, without waiting for a formal
complaint. The cases registered must invoke the appropriate ingredients of criminal law,
like criminal trespass (S.324), assault/ hurt (S.323-326)/ attempt to murder (S.307)/
murder (S.302), extortion (S.383), robbery (S.390), dacoity (S.395)etc. In circumstances
where necessary ingredients are in place, use of S.153, 153-A, and 153-B must be
resorted to.  Under no circumstances, must there be any dilution in applying the
provisions of criminal law. The criminal elements must be arrested and prosecuted
effectively. Wherever justified, effective preventive legal action, including action under
Kerala Anti Social Activities (Prevention)  Act 2007 must be taken. Through stringent,
effective, deterrent legal action Police must effectively tackle this menace to the society.
While applying so, it must be remembered that in the process of law enforcement,
the general citizenry co-operates with the Police and law enforcement agencies by giving
appropriate information at the appropriate time. They are also empowered to resort to
acts in private defence of either person or property when no other recourse subsists.
Citizens can even interpose in instances of grave criminal offences as defined by enacted
laws. These are all activities permitted under law. Such lawful behaviour by citizens must
be encouraged and the same should be clearly distinguished from intimidatory,
compulsive, conformity enforcement (ICCE).
It is also important that Police officers do not themselves, fall into the trap of
‘moral policing’ and seek to enforce a nebulous ‘Code of Morals’ as against an enacted
‘Code of Laws’. When a Police officer is confronted with any doubt as to whether an act
in question should entail any action; the sole test that should be applied is to assess
whether the alleged act would constitute an offence as defined in the Indian Penal Code
or any other relevant criminal law.
State Police Chief
To
 All Officers in List ‘B’
Copy to: CAs to all officers in PHQ, Circular File.

Misuse of Sec. 498A of IPC - Advisory issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India - Kerala police circular

                                                                                   U1/18390/12/PHQ

 Police Headquarters, Kerala 

Thiruvananthapuram-695 010

                                                                                       Dated: 02/10/2012 

CIRCULAR No: 28/2012

Sub:  Misuse of Sec. 498A of IPC - Advisory issued by Ministry of Home 

Affairs, Govt. of India - Instructions issued - Reg. 

Read:  Lr. No. 3/5/2008 – Judl. Cell dated 16/01/2012 of the MHA,  

Govt. of India. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, vide the reference read 

above, have issued an Advisory on measures to be taken to curb the misuse of  

Sec. 498A of IPC.  

Sec. 498A of IPC relates to the punishment for any cruelty inflicted on married 

women by the husband and relatives. But in many instances of marital discord, 

provisions of Sec. 498A of IPC are seen misused. In the light of the above Advisory 

of Government of India, the following instructions are issued.  

(1) The powers of the arrest on complaints relating to  offence under  

Sec. 498A of IPC are to be exercised carefully and cautiously, since it is laid down 

that the power of arrest without a warrant should be exercised only after a reasonable 

satisfaction is reached, after some investigation, as to the genuineness and bonafides 

of a complaint and a reasonable belief as to both the person’s complicity as well as 

the need to effect arrest. In matrimonial disputes, it may not be necessary in all cases 

to immediately exercise the powers of arrest. Recourse may be initially taken to 

dispute settlement mechanism such as conciliation,  mediation, counselling of the 

parties etc. In view of the above, arrest of the accused in Sec. 498A of IPC cases shall 

be done only with proper care and caution. Arrest under Sec. 498A of IPC on the 

basis of a complaint should be done only with written order of the Police officer of 

the level of District Police Chief or equivalent and it should be ensured that there is 

sufficient material for arresting the accused and charge sheeting the case.  

In short, arrest should be an exception, only in very deserving cases, and not done as 

a regular/routine exercise.  

  (2) The service of professionally trained family counselors shall be utilized 

for conciliation and mediation between the spouses  and their families so that 

frivolous cases are screened at the initial stage itself and Sec. 498A of IPC is invoked 

in rare cases.  

(3) The process of counselling by the Police Department should be made 

professional by involving qualified counselors and  reputed NGO’s so that people 

have more confidence in the mechanism and arrive at some settlement without the 

use of Sec. 498A of IPC. Even after the process of counseling, if the District Police 

Chief is not satisfied with the result, provision of Sec. 498A of IPC may be invoked. 

The District Police Chief may consider empanelling professional counselors with the 

Women cell working at district level. 

(4) In case of juveniles, Sec. 498A of IPC should not be invoked.  

However, in case of any aberrations, the Police must ensure that the children are put 

under the care of Child Welfare Committee. 

All District Police Chief’s should furnish a quarterly statement to PHQ 

mentioning the number of complaints under Sec. 498A of IPC and the arrest made 

there under. 

All are instructed to ensure that the above directions are carried out in dealing 

the offence under Sec. 498A of IPC.  

                                                                                           Sd/- 

Director General of Police &  

State Police Chief, Kerala 

To 

All Officers in List 'B' 

Copy to: Circular Book/Stock File 

   

Toddy-disparity between actual production of toddy and availability.

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2012 4 KHC 176

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2009 3 SCC 240.. 

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possession limit of liquor in Kerala - Abkari Policy 2012

POSSESSION LIMIT

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The elected Laity of a parish have the right to represent the parish and claim over rights of property of church- No sanction from the Bishop is mandatory.

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The question regarding the competence of laity to represent a case for church property is discussed in detail.
Full text of the Judgment-

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Js Vinod Chandran of High Court of Kerala opined about the right of LAITY over the church properties in a case which reached before it, pursuant to the suit filed by LAITY in a Catholic church in Kollam.


Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note

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Missing persons

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