M.Katju, S.K.Jain - (1.) -Heard learned counsel for the petitioner.
(2.) THIS petition reveals how some police personnel instead of protecting the people are behaving like bandits and thieves. The F.I.R. which has been challenged in this case is reproduced below : ...[VERNACULAR TEXT OMMITED]... The first informant Maddan is a kabari who used to purchase old papers from Police Lines, Kanpur, since 20 years. The allegation in the F.I.R. is that on 26.2.2001 when Maddan went to the Police Lines the petitioner who is a Head Constable called Maddan into his room and locked him up for two hours. Thereafter the petitioner said to Maddan that he had stolen the petitioner's latrine sheet and when the first informant denied it, the petitioner kicked him and gave him fist blows and robbed him of his money and told him to go away and never be seen again. When the first informant told all this to the R. I. Lines, then the R. I. Lines asked the petitioner to return the amount of Rs. 500 which the petitioner had stolen. This is not just an isolated case but a large number of such cases are coming in this Court complaining that police personnel are behaving like bandits and thieves. For instance, there are many complaints that police constables often stop truck drivers on the road and threaten to take them to the police station on some trumped up charge, and release them only after some money is paid. This just shows what is happening in our society today. The police is meant to protect the people and not for behaving like dacoits and thieves robbing people. One is reminded of Premchand's famous story 'Namak Ka Daroga'.
(3.) PRIMA facie, we see no reason to interfere in this petition. It is dismissed. However, the observations made herein will not prejudice that Court hearing the bail application or trial.;