IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.BHAVADASAN THURSDAY, THE 9TH JULY 2009 / 18TH ASHADHA 1931 WP(C).No. 17858 of 2009(B) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------------- SURESH.R.PILLAI, AGED 31 YEARS, S/O.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI, JAYA BHAVANAM, PULAYAN PURATHU, EROOR SOUTH, KEERIKKADU P.O. BY ADV. SRI.S.SHANAVAS KHAN RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------ 1. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KOLLAM WEST. 2. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, PALLITHOTTAM POLICE STATION, KOLLAM. BY GOVT. PLEADER SRI. P.A. SALIM. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 03/07/2009, THE COURT ON 09/07/2009 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: P.R. RAMAN & P. BHAVADASAN, JJ. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P.(C) No.17858 of 2009 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 9th day of July, 2009. JUDGMENT Bhavadasan, J, Petitioner claims to be a Sales Executive of Hercules Autombiles International Private Limited, Chengannur. He was arrested in relation to Crime No.75 of 2009 for offences punishable under Sections 420 and 471 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code. This court, as per order in B.A. No.1593 of 2009 dated 2.4.2009 granted bail to him. The complaint of the petitioner is that thereafter almost every day the police are coming to his house and harassing him and the members of his family. Even while he was acting as a bystander in a hospital, police came to the hospital and created scenes there. It is also stated that he was kept in illegal custody for period of three days. Petitioner would claim that he is not involved in any other crime and due to the harassment he is not able to carry on his work and also his family WPC.17858/2009. 2 members. 2. Learned Government Pleader on instructions submits that the petitioner is not so innocent as he pretends to be. It has come out that he may be involved in several other crimes also which are under investigation. In one of the cases, one of the accused, who was arrested, during interrogation has spoken about the involvement of the petitioner also. It is also stated that the petitioner has been evading law and the claim of harassment is without any basis. 3. Admittedly, except in the crime, in which he had been granted bail, petitioner is not an accused in any other crime. Of course police are entitled to investigate any case and for that purpose they may have to interrogate the petitioner also. That does not mean that he and his family members can be continuously harassed. Petitioner has pointed out that he was taken to the police station at odd hours and police comes to his house quite often. That cannot be permitted. WPC.17858/2009. 3 Therefore, while reserving the right of the police to investigate the crime, in which petitioner is suspected to be involved, interrogate him, and also take such steps as are found necessary, it is made clear that the petitioner and his family members shall not be unnecessarily harassed by the police. The writ petition is disposed of as above. P.R. Raman, Judge P. Bhavadasan, Judge sb.