Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: Some of the cases which are registered and forwarded to the court normally can be settled at police stations and by district police chiefs, stated Alappuzha district police chief G Jayadev in an order issued recently. As per the order, the cases charged according to Kerala Police Act sections from 117 to 121 can be settled out of court.
It has been directed that the cases as per sections 117, 118 and 119 (2) for interrupting duty of the police and intentionally manhandling police officer can be settled. These action will invite upto three years of imprisonment and/or a fine of minimum Rs 10,000. The new order suggests that these cases can be settled by paying a fine of Rs 5000.
The accused can file an application via the SHO of the police station or directly to the police chief. After examining this, the district police chief will settle the case. However, the police officers have raised protest against this.
The cases charged as per section 188 (I) which is applied against selling drug substances to minors and collecting the same near school premises also can be settled out of court, according to the new order. Similarly, the cases regarding acts degrading dignity of women as per section 119 (2) can be compromised in the same way.
However, the new order will not be applicable for cases in which charge sheet was submitted in the court. The order also pointed out that the case for law and order violation and trouble making can be settled in the police stations. However, a group of police officers opposed the order which was issued for only one district.