Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
proflie-avatar
Login
exit_to_app
Democracy that banks on the electorate
access_time 28 March 2024 5:34 AM GMT
Lessons to learn from Moscow terror attack
access_time 27 March 2024 6:10 AM GMT
Gaza
access_time 26 March 2024 4:34 AM GMT
The poison is not in words, but inside
access_time 25 March 2024 5:42 AM GMT
A witchhunt, plain and simple
access_time 23 March 2024 9:35 AM GMT
DEEP READ
Schools breeding hatred
access_time 14 Sep 2023 10:37 AM GMT
Ukraine
access_time 16 Aug 2023 5:46 AM GMT
Ramadan: Its essence and lessons
access_time 13 March 2024 9:24 AM GMT
When ‘Jai Sree Ram’ becomes a death call
access_time 15 Feb 2024 9:54 AM GMT
exit_to_app
Homechevron_rightKeralachevron_rightKerala HC quashes FIR...

Kerala HC quashes FIR against visiting Pak nationals; calls it a 'clear abuse of the process of law'

text_fields
bookmark_border
Kerala HC quashes FIR against visiting Pak nationals;  calls it a clear abuse of the process of law
cancel

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday set aside an FIR registered under the Foreigners Act against two Pakistan nationals who have been in the State for medical treatment. The FIR was filed by the police when the two visitors approached the police for police clearance certificate (PCC).

In his order, Justice K Haripal allowed the writ petition of the Pakistan nationals, saying that by no stretch of imagination was there any reason to file a case against the petitioners.

"In no stretch of imagination, the act of the respondents in registering a crime against the petitioners can be justified...In my view, in fact, such an act of the second respondent has only brought ignominy to our system. The petitioners have taken extra care to follow the procedural formalities."

The two Pakistan nationals had arrived in Kochi for treatment, one for cervical spinal cord injuries, and the hospital concerned, AAMRI Rehab International, Ernakulam was the third petitioner. The petitioner obtained a three months Medical visa from Indian Embassy in Oman, and arrived in Kerala with a medical attendant. The arrival was duly reported to Special Branch by the hospital within 24 hours.

After discharge from the hospital following the treatment, they were set to fly to Chennai the next day and then to leave via Sharjah. At Chennai they were not allowed to depart for want of a PCC which brought them to Kochi again. At this point, instead of issuing the same, the police booked them under the Foreigners Act for failure to apply for PCC prior to departure from Kochi.

The petitioners alleged that this was a clear abuse of the process of law, and approached the High Court for relief.

After reviewing the documents, the court agreed with the petitioners and pointed out that the genuineness of the documents was not questioned. The bench found that the Public Prosecutor could not make a valid case for the FIR.

The Court added: "It is expected that when foreign nationals are involved, responsible officials would exhibit a little more sensibility and act cautiously. An exception has to be taken for registering a crime at the drop of a hat. Here absolutely no reason is made out for initiating criminal prosecution against the petitioners who had reached India with valid travel documents; their arrival was duly intimated to the Special Branch and the officials of the Special Branch were monitoring them."

"I do not have the slightest doubt in my mind that Ext.P17 (FIR registered against the petitioners) is clearly an abuse of the process of law."

The Court noted that the first petitioner had been suffering from serious illness and was in an immobile condition. Such a person couldn't be expected to report to the police station physically and therefore could not be penalised for the only failure failure to make a written request for PCC prior to departure from Kochi.

The court also observed that the authorities do not allege any violation of the visa stipulations, residential permits or any threat to national security. The court's observations amounted to blaming the prosecution of inadequate application of mind.

The bench remarked "I have no hesitation in holding that all the proceedings pursuant to Ext.P17 are illegal and therefore, proceedings initiated pursuant to the [FIR] are hereby quashed."

The court directed the City Police Commissioner to issue a PCC , as per law, to the petitioners within three days.

(With inputs from LiveLaw)

Show Full Article
TAGS:FIR against Pak visitors quashedmedical visa'clear abuse of law'PCC to be issued within 3 days
Next Story