Pramesh S Jain
Police officers and personnel have been urged to treat lawyers with dignity and courtesy and avoid unnecessary arguments or confrontation when they visit police stations and offices in connection with their professional duties.
Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority member, Mohan Kumar Danappa has written to the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP), urging him to issue suitable instructions to officers and personnel across the state in this regard.
In his letter Mr.Danappa pointed out that lawyers are an integral part of the justice delivery system and are required to protect the legal rights and interests of their clients.
Visiting police stations in connection with complaints, investigations,arrests,bail proceedings,questioning, documents and other legal procedures is part of their routine professional duties.
However,incidents of police personnel allegedly engaging in unnecessary arguments with lawyers,using abusive language,issuing threats,assaulting them, obstructing their professional duties and subjecting them to harassment have been reported in the media.
Similar complaints have also been received by the State Police Complaints Authority and are under examination, he said.
Danappa noted that the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence Against Advocates Act, 2023 is in force in the state with the objective of protecting lawyers from violence,assault and threats.
Against this backdrop,instances of police personnel themselves allegedly behaving improperly with advocates have attracted criticism and resentment among the legal fraternity and the public,he said.
He stressed that lawyers should be able to discharge their professional responsibilities without fear and in a dignified environment.
Since both the police and the legal profession are integral to the justice delivery system,mutual respect and cooperation between them are essential for strengthening the rule of law and the quality of justice delivery.
Mr.Danappa has urged the police department to instruct its officers and personnel not to engage in unnecessary arguments with lawyers visiting police stations or offices in connection with their duties,obstruct their work,use abusive language,issue threats or indulge in conduct that insults their profession.
He also suggested that any differences between lawyers and police personnel at police stations should be resolved peacefully and through lawful procedures rather than through arguments or confrontation.
The letter further calls for prompt examination and appropriate action,as per rules,whenever complaints are received alleging misbehaviour,harassment,
To improve coordination and mutual understanding, Danappa has also proposed that police authorities at the district and taluk levels hold periodic Police-Bar Coordination Meetings with members of the legal fraternity.
