Prosecution of IPS officer quashed

Labhu Ram was fourth accused in an assault plaint filed by Sullia TP VC

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday quashed the prosecution of IPS officer Labhu Ram in an assault complaint lodged by the then Sullia Town Panchayat vice president Prakash Hegde and others in 2011. 

Labhu Ram, the then Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada district, was named the fourth accused in the compliant. Justice Jawad Rahim quashed the prosecution order dated July 5, 2012, and observed that there was no necessary sanction from the government to prosecute the IPS officer, and that the police were only discharging their duties. 

“If you curtail the power of the police in case of mob violence, it would lead to anarchy. No prosecution can be initiated against the officers without sanction. In the very case, no sanction was accorded,” the judge observed.   

The case

On December 14, 2011, a group of people had intercepted a car suspected to be used in human trafficking. The police were conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter. 

A mob approached the police and tried to interfere in the investigation. Soon, a verbal duel ensued between the mob and the police. 

The mob went berserk and attacked the police station. Policemen used lathi charge to disperse the mob. They then arrested several people in this connection, including Hegde.

On July 5, 2012, Hegde filed a private complaint against Labhu Ram and other police officers. On July 31, 2013, a local court issued summons to the police. 

The officer moved the High Court, challenging the proceedings and praying that they be quashed. 

“The Criminal Procedure Code protects the police officers and gives them the power to use force in case of necessity,” the court said, while quashing the proceedings.