Swarna Shukla –
Published On: September 21, 2021 at 13:10 IST
The Kerala High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that claimed camp workers/ followers who are engaged in the Armed Police battalions for domestic work of senior officers, were ill-treated, ‘Enslaved’, and forced to perform household chores.
The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly dismissed the PIL upon being convinced by the submissions made by the State, denying all the above-mentioned allegations.
In the Plea, the Petitioner sought to redress the alleged atrocities as violations of Human Rights with the camp followers.
The Petitioner further requested that a sitting Judge of the Thiruvananthapuram District & Principal Sessions Court be appointed to inquire into the alleged misuse of Government vehicles and unauthorized exploitation of services of camp followers for domestic work of the superior officers.
He further argued that it was high time to investigate such illegal activities carried in the police department, to prevent the violation of Fundamental Rights and Miscarriage of Justice.
A Counter-Affidavit filed by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, clarified that drivers in the Police department are not camp followers as wrongly suggested by the Petitioner in his Plea. They are included in the technical category and have a separate mode of intake and employment.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police further assured the Court that no criminal behaviour by police officers will be protected and that the department is following “Zero Tolerance” towards police atrocities.
The Court was convinced with the submissions made by the Respondents.
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