This is no picnic, attend hearings in uniform: HC

A CID officer, who walked into a courtroom to attend the proceeding for quashing of an FIR dressed in casuals, was reprimanded by the court on Tuesday.

A CID officer, who walked into a courtroom to attend the proceeding for quashing of an FIR dressed in casuals, was reprimanded by the court on Tuesday.

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A division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and Rajesh Ketkar was miffed as earlier during the day, senior policemen, including lady officers appearing in several case hearings, had come dressed in casuals.

The Bombay high court issued a stern warning saying that this practice adopted by police officers, who attend court hearings dressed casually, is unacceptable and even though the court had issued warnings earlier, the practice still continues unabated.

“Ask your officers to dress properly. This is not a picnic,” justice Khanwilkar snapped.

The division bench warned that it will be forced to summon the home secretary if the practice continues.

“This is not the way to appear in court. This issue has been raised by other benches of the court also,” the division bench said.

The judges have even cautioned that contempt proceedings will be initiated if this practice is repeated. The judges asked public prosecutor PA Pol to convey the court’s instructions to all the officers so that such a situation does not arise again. “Or we will have to call the home secretary to come and explain why this is happening,” said the court, adding, “If not in uniform, they are expected to at least dress formally while attending court proceedings.”

According to sources, the court had last year asked the state to issue a circular in this regard after a deputy superintendent of police had come to court in plain clothes.

“A circular was issued last year. They (police) have to wear uniform as attending court hearings forms part of their duty,” Pol said.