
Sanction not required for prosecuting policemen: HC
The Hindu
Upholds Kollam court’s sentencing of five police officers for assault
The Kerala High Court has held that sanction from the government as mandated under Section 197 Code of Criminal Procedure, is not required to prosecute police officers for their illegal acts under the guise of exercising lawful discharge of their official duties.
The court made the observation while confirming the Kollam District court's order upholding the sentences awarded to five police officers of Ezhukone police station in Kollam for assaulting an accused in 1996.
The court observed that what was intended by the incorporation of section 197 in Cr. P.C was an assurance to a public servant that for whatever things bonafide done by him in the lawful exercise of the authority conferred on him/her, protection would be afforded to him.

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa had challenged the first information report registered on March 14, 2024, on the alleged incident that occurred on February 2, 2024, the chargesheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the February 28, 2025, order of taking cognisance of offences afresh by the trial court.