This Article is From Jun 26, 2018

Arrest Inside Court Premises Cannot Be Tolerated: Madras High Court

The Chief Justice noted that the police could not be allowed to enter court premises to make arrests.

Arrest Inside Court Premises Cannot Be Tolerated: Madras High Court

The Chief Justice also stated that she intends to take contempt action against the errant policeman.

Chennai: Taking a serious view of police arresting people in court premises, Madras High Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee said the court would not tolerate such action, which was against Supreme Court guidelines.

She said this while going through the records related to a recent incident at a Magistrate's court in Tirupur.

The Chief Justice drew the attention of Government Pleader T N Rajagopalan to it and said all details have been forwarded and she intended to take contempt action against the errant police personnel.

The Chief Justice observed that proceedings in the magistrate court were brought to a standstill for around 15 minutes owing to such disruption by police.

Noting that the police cannot be allowed to enter court halls to make arrests in this manner, she insisted that they be appropriately sensitised and trained in this regard.

The incident happened on April 10 when Santhosh (29), an accused in the murder of an autorickshaw driver came with his lawyer to the judicial magistrate court in Tirupur to surrender.

But even as he was before the Magistrate, a police team from Singanallur in Coimbatore tried to arrest him forcibly.

However, lawyers present there foiled the attempt.

The Tirupur Bar Association then sought action against the policemen, saying it was an offence to arrest someone coming to surrender.

Santhosh, along with a few others, was accused of murdering M Citybabu at Ondipudur in Coimbatore on April 4 over personal rivalry.
 
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