KOCHI: State government should consider amending law to prevent police officers turning hostile in cases they are involved once they retire from service, the high court has directed.
Justice PV Kunhikrishnan gave the suggestion after considering a report filed by state police chief stating that it is not legally possible to take action against retired officers if they turn hostile in criminal cases once they leave the service.
The court’s suggestion came in a case alleging that counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 75 lakh and printing apparatus were seized from a building in Tripunithura on March 21, 1990. The inspector of crime branch and other police officers who were involved in the case had turned hostile during trial, resulting in the accused being let off on benefit of doubt.
Earlier, the court had directed the police chief to conduct an enquiry against the inspector who turned hostile and submit a report. In the report, the police chief said action cannot be taken against retired officers as they do not come under the purview of the Kerala Police Act.
