Public should abide by lockdown rules, not blame police: Court

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanaryanan and Justice Anita Sumath made the observation while closing a petition moved by Advocate ML Ravi alleging police excesses on people and motorists during the lockdown. The plea also sought for a direction to the DGP to not harass/punish people who venture out without deviating from the order and guidelines issued under Section 144 of CrPC.

The bench also recorded the submission made by the police about the DGP’s circular in this regard and that more than 4.32 lakh violations were recorded leading to the arrest of 1.59 lakh people. Also, 3.79 lakh vehicles were seized and fine running up to more than Rs 5 crore has been collected.

While moving the plea when the 21-day lockdown was in force, the petitioner said the police were acting brutally against people who ventured out to buy essentials.

Street dwellers and the labourers unable to travel to their native places were facing the worst of the crisis, and the police have been caning people resulting in some retaliation causing panic among public, added the petitioner, noting that he has been gathering information on police excesses through media reports.