VibIn P.V. Vs. State of Kerala - Court Judgment

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.M.JOSEPH & THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.HARILAL THURSDAY, THE 20TH DAY OF DECEMBER 2012 29TH AGRAHAYANA 193 WP(C).No. 9963 of 2012 (U) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ------------- VIBIN P.V., AGED 2 YEARS ADVOCATE, S/O. VRINDHAVAN, PARUTHEZHATH VEEDU NAJARAKKAL P.O., NAJARAKKAL VILLAGE ERNAKULAM DISTRICT-682505. BY ADV. SRI.A.G.BASIL RESPONDENT(S): -------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

2. THE HOME DEPARTMENT REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.

3. THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE ALUVA RURAL, ALUVA-683101.

4. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE NAJARAKKAL POLICE STATION, NAJARAKKAL-682505.

5. S.I. OF POLICE (VEANS JOSEPH) NAJARAKKAL POLICE STATION NAJARAKKAL-682505. (THE ADDRESS OF R5 IS CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS AS PER ORDER DATED 08 08/2012 IN IA 10800/2012) SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE BINCE JOSEPH, DISTRICT CRIME RECORDS BUREAU ALUVA RURAL, ALUVA PIN -683 101 WPC NO. 9963/2012 -2- 6. POLICE CONSTATBLE (ELDHO) NAJARAKKAL POLICE STATION NAJARAKKAL-682505. (THE ADDRESS OF R6 IS CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS AS PER ORDER DATED 08 08/2012 IN IA 10800/2012) POLICE CONSTABLE (ELDHO) DISTRICT CRIME RECORDS BUREAU ALUVA RURAL, ALUVA PIN -683101 7. VARGHESE HOME GUARD, NAJARAKKAL POLICE STATION NAJARAKKAL-682505. (THE ADDRESS OF R6 IS CORRECTED AS FOLLOWS AS PER ORDER DATED 08 08/2012 IN IA 10800/2012) VARGHESE, S/O. FRANCIS OLAKEMBIL VEEDU, NEAR THRIUNELLOOR POST OFFICE MULLASSERI VILLAGE, THRISSUR PIN:

68050. NOW RESIDING AT KUDILINGAL VEEDU NJARAKKAL, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT PIN:

68250. RR BY ADV. ADDL.ADVOCATE GENERAL SRI. K.A. JALEEL R7 BY ADV. SRI.MANSOOR.B.H. RR5 & 6 BY ADV. SRI.S.RAJEEV RR5 & 6 BY ADV. SRI.K.K.DHEERENDRAKRISHNAN R BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 20-12-2012, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WPC NO. 9963/2012 APPENDIX PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1: TRUE COPY OF THE NEWS ITEM APPEARED IN DECCAN CHRONICEL ON 1.APRIL 2012 EXHIBIT P2: TRUE COPY OF THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING BLEEING ON THE MOUTH AND DISTRUCTION OF TEETH AND PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING BLOOD SPLASHED ON THE MOTOR BIKE. EXHIBIT P3: COPY OF THE DISCHARGE SUMMARY OF THE PETITIONER ISSUED BY THE AMRUTHA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH CENTRE DATED 17 04.2012 EXHIBIT P4: COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24 03.1993 REPORTED IN 1993(2) SCC 74.EXHIBIT P5: COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 28 01.2000 IN CHAIRMAN, RAILWAY BOARD AND OTHERS VS.CHANDRIMA DAS (Mrs) AND OTHERS - REPORTED IN 2000(2)SCC 46.RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS NIL // TRUE COPY // P.A. TO JUDGE SD C R K.M. JOSEPH & K. HARILAL JJ.

===================== W.P.(C)No. 9963 of 2012 ===================== Dated this the 20th day of December, 2012 JUDGMENT K.Harilal,J.

Case of the petitioner in brief is as follows: Mr. P.V.Vipin, a young lawyer aged 25, practising at Cochin who hails from a poor family of a backward community is the petitioner in this writ petition. On 14th April 2012 while the petitioner was returning home riding his motor cycle, after watching a 2nd show film, the police squad on patrol duty of Njarackal Police Station consisted of the respondents 5 to 7 intercepted the vehicle and cane charged him brutally. In the said assault, the petitioner has lost five teeth. The 5th respondent who is working as Home Guard has no authority under law to manhandle the petitioner. The assault committed by the respondents 5, 6 and 7 is nothing but a brutal attack upon an innocent lawyer. He was hospitalised and further referred to Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences for expert treatment. Ext.P1 is the paper report with photograph of the petitioner describing the W.P.C. 9963/2012 -2- incident published in Deccan Chronicle dated 16/04/2012. Ext.P2 is the photograph showing profuse bleeding from the teeth socket of the upper jaw of the petitioner and blood splashed on the motor bike. The action of the police is an infringement of the right to life of the petitioner guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. By the police action, the petitioner's right to carry out profession guaranteed under Section 19(i)(g) of the Constitution of India also is infringed. The petitioner has done nothing as against any law or Rule. The interception of the police was deliberate, wilful with a malicious intention to inflict injury on the petitioner. The above act of the respondents 5 to 7 causing injury is an infringement upon human rights also. Since the culprits are police officers, the possibility to bring the offenders before law is remote and interference of this Court is warranted. Hence filed this writ petition. Though several reliefs are sought for, arguments advanced at the bar were mainly focused on the relief seeking a direction to the 1st,4th,5th,6th and 7th respondents to pay compensation to the petitioner for the loss of his teeth, and to give 50,000/- to the petitioner as interim relief for hospital expenses. W.P.C. 9963/2012 -3- Respondents' plea:

2. The 1st and 3rd respondents filed counter affidavits separately denying the cause of injury and taking a common contention regarding the cause of injury and departmental disciplinary actions taken against the respondents 5 to 7. As a routine affair on 14/4/2012 at night, the 5th respondent was checking vehicles with the assistance of the 6th and 7th respondents at Vypin-Munambam Highway in front of the Njarakkal police station. While so at about 11.40 p.m., the petitioner who was riding a Motor Cycle bearing Registration No. KL 4.E 345.from north to south direction was directed to stop his vehicle by the 5th respondent. But the petitioner did not obey the signal and drove away his vehicle. The 7th respondent, who was standing 80 metres away from the scene, tried to stop the motor vehicle by stretching and waving his lathi, which resulted in grievous hurt and losing of five teeth. After that, the petitioner was admitted into hospital for treatment and F.I.R. was recorded. Based on the F.I.R., Crime No.644/2012 was registered under Sections 324, 326,307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code by the Njarakkal police against the respondents 5 to 7. The investigation has been taken over by the Circle Inspector of Police and the W.P.C. 9963/2012 -4- same is progressing. On the basis of the investigation, the 7th respondent was arrested on 17/4/2012 and produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kochi and he was remanded to judicial custody. The Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam has passed an order to conduct an enquiry and pursuant to the same, on the basis of the report of the District Police Chief, Ernakulam, departmental action has been initiated for major penalty against the Sub Inspector of Police, Njarakkal and the Senior Civil Police Officer for the alleged lapses in connection with the vehicle checking duty. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Perumbavoor has been authorised to conduct an enquiry. The case is under investigation in a proper and fair manner. On the basis of the investigation, further action will be taken against the respondents 5 to 7 in accordance with law. In addition to the above contention, the 3rd respondent contended that 'home guards' are not permanent employees of the Government. Since the 7th respondent is a home guard only, Government is not having any vicarious liability for the untoward incident anything happened due to his action.

3. The respondents 5 to 7 filed counter affidavits separately raising identical contentions. The common contention W.P.C. 9963/2012 -5- inter-alia raised by all these respondents is that the injury was sustained when the 7th respondent tried to stop the motor vehicle by stretching and waiving his lathi and that resulted in injuries and the losing of five teeth of the petitioner. According to them, a fair and full fledged investigation was conducted and also a detailed enquiry was conducted by Special Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police. In the enquiry as well as in the investigation, there was no allegation against the respondents 5 and 6. After a full fledged investigation by the Superior Officers, Crime No.644/2012 of Njajrakkal police station was registered against the 7th respondent and final report was already submitted and the same is pending consideration before the Judicial First Class Magistrate. According to them, they were doing their official duty.

4. The petitioner filed reply affidavits separately against the counter affidavits filed by the respondents 5 to 7 and denied the cause of injury alleged by the respondents in their counter affidavits. Submissions at the Bar 5. We heard Sri. Basil Attipetty, learned counsel for the petitioner, Shri K.A.Jaleel, learned Additional Advocate General W.P.C. 9963/2012 -6- and B.H.Mansoor, learned counsel for the 7th respondent and Shri S.Rajeev, learned counsel for respondents 5 and 6.

6. The learned counsel for the petitioner placed reliance on Article 21 of the Constitution of India and contended that the alleged act done by the respondents 5 to 7 abusing the power conferred by the State on them amounts to infringement of his fundamental right to life guaranteed under the Constitution. According to the learned counsel, in such cases the only practicable mode of redress available to the petitioner for the contravention made by the State or servant is award of monetary compensation. A claim in public law for compensation by the State for the contravention of fundamental right as well as human right is approved by plethora of decisions of the Apex Court as well as this Court. The learned counsel cited Nilabati Behra Vs. State of Orissa (1993(2) SCC 746.Common Cause , a Registered Society v. Union of India, 2006(9)SCC 295.Chairman, Railway Board and Others v Chandrima Das (Mrs) & Others, 2000(2)SCC 46.and Vypin Vishamadhya Koottakola Virudha Samithy v. State of Kerala, 2005(1)KAJ 547.to fortify the above argument. According to the learned counsel, the State is liable to pay compensation for the Act W.P.C. 9963/2012 -7- causing an infringement of fundamental right done by the respondents 5 to 7, the learned counsel argued.

7. The learned Additional Advocate General argued that the alleged misconduct was not an assault and it was so happened when the 7th respondent who was standing 80 meters away from the scene tried to stop the motor cycle by stretching and waiving lathi and that resulted in grievous hurt and losing of five teeth. Based on first information, police have taken stringent action against the 7th respondent. The Inspector General of Police, Ernakulam has passed an order to conduct an enquiry and pursuantly, on the report of the District Police Chief, Ernakulam, Departmental action has been initiated for major penalty against the Sub Inspector of Police, Njarakkal for the alleged lapses. According to him, the department is keeping vigil over the investigation. Therefore, there is no circumstance warranting interference of this Court. The 7th respondent was arrested immediately, remanded to judicial custody and released on bail only after 34 days. Regarding the liability of the State for the Act done by the 7th respondent, he contended that he is not a permanent employee of the police and he was being employed for Rs.350/- per day only. Since he is not a permanent employee, W.P.C. 9963/2012 -8- the State is not vicariously liable for the wrongful act. I Question 8. In view of the rival contentions, the prime question to be considered is notwithstanding the right to seek remedy available under the civil law or criminal law to the petitioner as a victim of police torturing, can this Court direct the State to grant monetary compensation to the petitioner for the infringement of fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, in the writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India? Soverign immunity 9. Let us examine the pedigree of law granting the right to sue against State for its liability to people. "The King can do no wrong and the King cannot be guilty of personal negligence or misconduct of his servants. No proceedings Civil or Criminal could be filed against the Crown".

10. This doctrine of "Crown immunity" which had been borrowed in India from England is based on the common law principle which prevailed in England. Going by the evolution of the Law granting right to sue against 'sovereign', it is seen that W.P.C. 9963/2012 -9- Section 65 of the Government of India Act,1858, passed by the British parliament allowed the Secretary of the State Council to sue or be sued. That was the first marked departure from the common Law Rule that no proceedings civil or criminal could be filed against the crown. But notwithstanding the said provision in Penisular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co. v. Secretary of State for India (1861(5) Bombay HCR Appendix A.P1), the 'Rule of immunity' was applied by drawing distinction by the act done by the public servants in the delegated exercise of sovereign powers and act done by them in the conduct of other activities. Later this decision was followed in several other decisions. Though the Government of India Act was replaced by the Government of India Act,1915 and thereafter by Government of India Act, 1935, Section 65 of the Government of India Act 1858 was retained by corresponding Sections 32 and 176(1) respectively.

11. After independence,by the commencement of the Constitution of India, the people of this country got the right to sue against the Union of India or the State as the case may be. As per Article 300(1) of the Constitution of India, the Government of India may sue or be sued by the name of the Union of India and W.P.C. 9963/2012 -10- the Government of State may sue or be sued by the name of the State and thereby explicitly departed from the old doctrine of crown immunity. Though the doctrine of 'Crown Immunity' had been altered in the United Kingdom by Crown Proceedings Act, 1947, in India the above old notion of justice continued after the commencement of Democratic Republican form of Government and the Constitution of India. The old doctrine of crown immunity has been eroded from the decision laid down in Rudal Sah v. State of Bihar [1983(4)SC 14.onwards only. But considerable changes from the rigor of 'crown immunity' manifested in State of Bihar Vs.Abdul Majid AIR 195.SC 24.and State of Rajasthan V. Mrs. Vidhyavathi and another. 1962 SC 933..

12. In the decision in State of Bihar v. Abdul Majid (A.I.R. 1954 SC 245), the Supreme Court has departed from the common law Rule that civil servant cannot maintain a suit against the Crown. The Apex Court recognised the right of a Government servant to sue the Government for recovery of arrears of salary. "When the Rule of Immunity in favour of the Crown based on common law in the United Kingdom, has disappeared from the land of its birth, there is no legal warrant for holding that it has any validity in this country", the Apex Court W.P.C. 9963/2012 -11- observed:

13. In State of Rajasthan v. Mst.Vidhyawati and another [1962 SC 933.the driver of a jeep, owned and maintained by the State of Rajasthan for the official use of the Collector of a District, drove it rashly and negligently while bringing it back from the workshop after repairs and knocked down a pedestrian who fatally injured and died. While upholding liability of the State to grant compensation, the Supreme Court observed that: "Now that we have by our constitution, established a Republican form of Government and one of the objectives is to establish a socialistic state with its varied industrial and other activities, employing a large army of servants, there is no justification, in principle or in public interest that the State should not be held liable vicariously for the tortious act of its servant".

14. But Subsequently in Kasturi Lal v. State of U.P. [A.I.R. 1965 S.C. 1039], the Supreme Court reiterated the old 'doctrine of crown immunity'. A partner of 'Kasturi Lal Ralia Rm Jain', a firm of jewellers of Amritsar, had gone to Merrut for selling gold and silver, but was taken into custody by the police W.P.C. 9963/2012 -12- on the suspicion of possessing stolen property. He was released on the next day, but the property which was recovered from his possession could not be returned to him in its entirety inasmuch as the silver was returned but the gold could not be returned as the Head Constable in charge of the Malkhana misappropriated it and fled to Pakistan. The firm filed a suit against the State of U.P. for the return of the ornaments and in the alternative for compensation. The Supreme Court, speaking through Gajendragadkar,C.J.observed as under: "The Act of negligence was committed by the police officers while dealing with the property of Ralia Ram which they had seized in the exercise of their statutory powers. Now,the power to arrest a person, to search him, and to seize property found with him, are powers conferred on the specified officers by statute and in the last analysis, they are powers which can be properly characterised as sovereign powers; and so, there is no difficulty in holding that the act which gave rise to the present claim for damages has been committed by the employee of the respondent during the course of its employment; but the employment in question being of the category which can claim the special characteristic of sovereign power, the claim cannot be sustained." In other words the rule of W.P.C. 9963/2012 -13- immunity was applied by drawing a distinction by the acts done by the public servants in the delegated exercise of sovereign powers and acts done by them in the conduct of other activities. But before parting with the judgment J.Gajendragadkar, expressed his Lordship's anguish as follows: "Before we part with this appeal, however, we ought to add that it is time that the legislatures in India seriously consider whether they should not pass legislative enactments to regulate and control their claim from immunity in cases like this on the same lines as has been done in England by the Crown Proceedings Act, 1947." 15. After 34 years, a three Judges Bench of the Apex Court in Common Cause, a Registered Society v. Union of India did not follow the decision in Kasturilal's (supra) case and observed that the efficaciousness of this decision as a binding precedent has been eroded and the theory of sovereign power which was propounded in Kasturilal's case has yielded new theories and is no longer available in a welfare state.

16. In Rudul Sah v. State of Bihar [(1983)4 S.C.C.141], the petitioner filed a habeas corpus petition under Article 32 seeking his release from detention in jail on the ground that his detention after his release by the Sessions Court on June 3,1968 W.P.C. 9963/2012 -14- was illegal, and also seeking ancillary reliefs viz. compensation for his illegal detention in jail for over 14 years, his medical treatment at government expense and ex gratia payment for his rehabilitation. The Supreme Court completely departed from the old doctrine of Crown Immunity and observed as follows: The Apex court held that: "Although Article 32 cannot be used as a substitute for the enforcement of rights and obligations which can be enforced efficaciously through the ordinary processes of courts, such as money claims, the Supreme Court in exercise of its jurisdiction under this Article can pass an order for the payment of money if such an order is in the nature of compensation consequential upon the deprivation of a fundamental right. xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx In these circumstances, the refusal of the Supreme Court to pass an order of compensation in favour of the petitioner will be doing mere lip-service to his fundamental right to liberty which the State Government has so grossly violated. Article 21 will be denuded of its significant content if the power of the Supreme Court were limited to passing orders of release from illegal detention. The only effective method open to the judiciary to prevent violation of that right and secure due compliance with Article 21, is W.P.C. 9963/2012 -15- to mulct its violators in the payment of monetary compensation. The right to compensation is thus some palliative for the unlawful acts of instrumentalities of the State. Therefore, the State must repair the damage done by the officers to the petitioner's rights. It may have recourse against these officers." (Emphasis supplied) 17. In Nilabati Behera v. State of Orissa [(1993) 2 S.C.C. 746, the Supreme Court considered the question whether Constitutional remedy of compensation for infringement of fundamental right is distinct from and in addition to remedy in private law for damages. The deceased aged 22 years was taken into police custody and on the next day his dead body with multiple injuries was found on a railway track without being released from the custody. State's plea that the deceased had escaped from police custody by chewing off the rope with which he was tied and was run over by a train was not substantiated by the evidence of the doctor who conducted post-mortem examination and the police officers were found responsible for the death. The Court held that : W.P.C. 9963/2012 -16- "Award of compensation in a proceeding under Article 32 by the Supreme Court or by the High Court under Article 226 is a remedy available in public law, based on strict liability for contravention of fundamental rights to which the principle of sovereign immunity does not apply, even though it may be available as a defence in private law in an action based on tort. A claim in public law for compensation for contravention of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the protection of which is guaranteed in the Constitution, is an acknowledged remedy for enforcement and protection of such rights, and such a claim based on strict liability made by resorting to a constitutional remedy provided for the enforcement of a fundamental right is distinct from, and in addition to, the remedy in private law for damages for the tort resulting from the contravention of the fundamental right. (emphasis supplied) 18. In D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal[ 1997(1)SCC 416.the Supreme Court again considered the question of claim for damages in case of violation of rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, while laying down certain principles to be followed in all cases of arrest and detention which was made applicable to this entire country. The Supreme W.P.C. 9963/2012 -17- Court held that: "The claim in public law for compensation for unconstitutional deprivation of fundamental right to life and liberty, the protection of which is guaranteed under the Constitution, is a claim based on strict liability and is in addition to the claim available in private law for damages for tortuous acts of the public servants. Public law proceedings serve a different purpose than the private law proceedings. Award of compensation for establishing infringement of the indefeasible rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution is a remedy available in public law since the purpose of public law is not only to civilize public power but also to assure the citizens that they live under a legal system wherein their rights and interests shall be protected and preserved." 19. In Chairman, Railway Board and Others v Chandrima Das (Mrs) & Others, 2000(2)SCC 465.a writ petition was filed seeking compensation from railway authorities for a victim, a Bengladesh National by name Hanuffa Khatoon who was gang raped by the employees of railway, when the lady had W.P.C. 9963/2012 -18- arrived at Howrah railway station with a view to catch train to Ajmeer; she was taken by the employees of railway to Yathri Nivas. Room in the Yathri Nivas was booked by one of the employees against railway card pass. She was raped there by 4 employees. Later she was taken out to a rented house by another employee and raped her. A practising lady Advocate of Calcutta High Court filed a writ petition before the High Court seeking compensation for the victim. Though it was allowed by the High Court, Railway filed appeal. Dismissing the appeal, Supreme Court held as follows: "Where public functions are involved and matter relates to violation of fundamental rights or the enforcement of public duties the remedy would still be available under the public law. Notwithstanding that a suit could be filed for damages under private law. The public law remedies have also been extended to the realm, and the court can award compensation to the petitioner who suffered personal injuries amounting to tortious acts at the hands of officers of the Government." 20. The propositions laid down in Rudul Shah v. State of Bihar (1983 (4) S.C.C.141) and Nilabati Behra v. State of Orissa (1993(2)S.C.C.746 have been followed in W.P.C. 9963/2012 -19- P.A.Narayanan v. Union of India and Others (A.I.R. 1998 S.C.1659), M.S. Grewal v. Deep Chand Sood (2001(8) S.C.C.151), Bhim Singh v. State of J & K and Others (A.I.R. 1986 S.C. 494), Smt. Kumari v. State of Tamil Nadu and Others (A.I.R. 1992 S.C.2069), Saheli, a Womans Resources Centre v. Commissioner of Police (1990(1) S.C.C.422), Union Carbide Corporation and Others v. Union of India and others (1991(4) 585), Vypin Vishamadhya Koottakola Virudha Samithy v. State of Kerala and others (2005(1)KAJ 547).

21. We must remind ourselves the anguish and hope that expressed by Lord Denning in 1949 in his Lecture under the title "Freedom under the Law"which was referred to in Nilabati Behra Vs. State of Orissa (1993(2) SCC

746) and extracted below: " No one can suppose that the executive will never be guilty of the sins that are common to all of us. You may be sure that they will sometimes do things which they ought not to do: and will not do things that they ought to do. But, if and when wrongs are thereby suffered by any of us what is the remedy? Our procedure for securing our personal freedom is W.P.C. 9963/2012 -20- efficient, our procedure for preventing the abuse of power is not, just as the pick and shovel is no longer suitable for the winning of coal, so also the procedure of mandamus, certiorari and actions on the case are not suitable for the winning of freedom in the new age. They must be replaced by new and up-to date machinery, by declarations, injunctions and actions for negligence. This is not the task for Parliament ... the courts must do this. Of all the great tasks that lie ahead this is the greatest. Properly exercised the new powers of the executive lead to the welfare state; but abused they lead to a totalitarian state. None such must ever be allowed in this country." 22. The old doctrine of only relegating the aggrieved to the remedies available in civil law limits the role of the courts too much as protector and guarantor of the indefeasible rights of the citizens. The courts have the obligation to satisfy the social aspirations of the citizens because the courts and the law are for the people and expected to respond to their aspirations, the Supreme Court reminds us.

23. Therefore, in view of the case law set out on this point under Article 141 of the Constitution of India, it is very clear in our mind that notwithstanding the right to remedies under Civil suits or Criminal proceedings, this Court can grant compensation W.P.C. 9963/2012 -21- in exercise of jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India under public law to the victims who suffered infringement of their right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under the Constitution. II Question 24. The next question to be considered is whether the State is liable for the act done by the Home Guards, in the course of their duty while they are employed by the State under the police force? 25. Though, the first respondent has not raised a specific contention denying the liability of the act done by the 7th respondent who is admittedly a home guard appointed under the Home Guard Act,1960, 3rd respondent contended that Home Guards are not permanent employees of the Government, and the Government is not having any vicarious liability for the untoward incident anything happened due to their action. Since specific allegation of assault on the face of the petitioner is alleged against the 7th respondent, we think that this question deserves to be answered by us. According to Section 3 of the Kerala Home Guards Act,1960 "Home Guards" is a volunteer body constituted by the government to discharge such functions and W.P.C. 9963/2012 -22- duties in relation to the protection of persons, the security of property and the public safety as may be assigned to them in accordance with the Act. According to Section 6, a member of 'home guards' when called out for duty shall have the same power, privilege and protection as an officer of police appointed under Police Act for the time being in force. According to Section 7, Home Guards shall be under the control of the officers of police force in such manner and to such extent as may be prescribed. Lastly according to Section 14, Home Guards acting under the Act shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal code.

26. On a conjoint reading of the above provisions, it could be seen that the 'Home Guards' acting under the police force is a body constituted by the Government and its members are determined by the Government. They have same powers, privilege and protection as that of an officer of the police force. Their status as an employee acting under the Government is declared by Government by including them in the definition of 'Public Servant' under Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, undoubtedly we find that the Government is liable for the act or omission made by the Home Guards in the course of W.P.C. 9963/2012 -23- their employment while employed by the Government. The act done by the Home Guards in the course of their duty under the Police force shall be deemed to be an act done in the course of employment under the State and State shall be held liable for such act as if it had been done by the police force. Therefore, we reject the contention raised by the 3rd respondent denying liability of the State for the act done by the Home Guards. ANALYSIS 27 Let us consider the instant case in the light of the well settled legal position, which is derived from the Case Law. First of all, we may examine the admitted facts which are disclosed by pleadings of both parties. The incident as such is fairly admitted by all respondents except the cause of injury which resulted in loss of 5 teeth of the petitioner. According to the petitioner, while he was returning home after 2nd show film, he was intercepted by police team consisting of respondents 5 to 7, cane charged him brutally and in the said assault, he has lost 5 teeth, whereas according to the respondents, the 7th respondent who was standing 80 metres away from the scene tried to stop the motor vehicle by stretching and waving lathi and that resulted in grievous hurt and losing of 5 teeth. Even in this controversy W.P.C. 9963/2012 -24- regarding the manner in which or the act by which the injury was caused, certain facts are obviously admitted and stand indisputable. (1) The injury was caused by the act of the 7th respondent who was employed by the State in the course of his employment along with the respondents 5 and 6, (2) the Act of the 7th respondent caused injury on the petitioner, which resulted in losing of 5 teeth. It is pertinent to note that the infliction of injury resulted in losing of 5 teeth is not denied by the respondents. What remains in dispute is the manner or nature of the act by which injury was caused, but this disputed issue does not arise for consideration to determine relief of compensation sought for against State in this writ petition. The admitted and indisputable facts, amount to an infringement of the right to life and personal liberty of the petitioner. Whether it was an act done with mens rea? Whether it was an act caused by negligence? Whether it was an act with the intention of causing death or with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death or with the knowledge that he is likely by such act to cause death? Was there any motive or previous enmity? Which respondent is responsible? Was the act done in furtherance of a common intention? All these are questions which rest on the W.P.C. 9963/2012 -25- above disputed facts are to be considered in determining the penal or civil liability of the respondents. Sri. Rajeev advanced arguments so as to distinguish the involvement of respondents 6 and 7. We are not considering these disputed issues. These are 'facts in issue' which fall under the domain of criminal court or Civil Court in whose jurisdiction the act was done. We are considering the question of granting compensation by the State for the infringement of fundamental right in view of the admitted and indisputable facts only and leaving all remaining above said controversies to competent courts as the case may be.

28. The next point which was urged before us by the learned Addl. Advocate General is that Police Complaint Authority is the proper and competent forum under whose jurisdiction a complaint alleging physical attack of police would lie. Our attention was drawn to a Judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in Aslam v. State of Kerala (2011 (2) KLT 601). We would think that the principle was laid down, no doubt, inter alia, that the provisions in Section 17E of the Police Act, 1960 contain sufficient teeth to protect life and liberty of citizens who complain about police harassment. We notice that, that was a case where the Writ Petition was filed on the allegation that the petitioners W.P.C. 9963/2012 -26- were being harassed on the instructions of the fourth respondent by the third respondent officer and there is a demand for money. Apparently, the Court was concerned about a good number of Writ Petitions were filed as matters relating to "police harassment" and yet, many of them turned out to be merely for impeding the due process of law and interfering with the legitimate mechanisms. We may further notice that the Bench has, inter alia, held as follows: "4. With the aforesaid efficacious remedial provisions being in place, the citizens appear to remain unaware of such remedies and they often move the High Court for protective orders invoking Art.226 of the Constitution. The extraordinary jurisdiction of the High Court under Art.226 of the Constitution of India is to be invoked by parties and exercised by the Court only in exceptional circumstances of grave and imminent danger to the person applying for such relief, provided, such a situation is shown and demonstrated to the satisfaction of the writ court and it is shown that the afore-noted alternate remedies are resorted to, but remains ineffective or has turned futile." We must also remind ourselves that the principle of relegating parties to extortion of alternate remedies cannot W.P.C. 9963/2012 -27- extend to our holding that existence of alternate remedy will bar the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution. One of the well established exceptions, at any rate, is a case where there is clear violation of fundamental rights. We cannot also overlook nature of the relief sought in this case. What the petitioner seeks is a public law remedy which has been upheld by the Apex Court in a catena of decisions. The Judgment in Darlin v. State of Kerala (2012 (3) KLT

141) by the Division Bench is one following the Judgment which we had referred to. The matter arose from a property dispute.

29. Sri. B.H.Mansoor, the counsel for the 7th respondent drew our attention to decision reported in Chairman, Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd. (Gridco) & Others v. Smt.Sukamani Das & Another JT1999(7)SC109 and argued that the above decision refusing to grant compensation to widow of a victim allegedly died due to electrocution is applicable to this case. We are unable to accept the above argument based on the citation. Unlike this case, there was a factual controversy regarding the cause of death. Defense version was that cause of death was due to an act of God or acts of some other persons. In view of that factual controversy, Supreme Court found that W.P.C. 9963/2012 -28- interference under Article 226 of the Constitution of India was not justifiable. In the instant case, it is admitted that injury was caused by the act of the 7th respondent in the course of his duty while employed by the State. Therefore, in the absence of factual controversy we find that the above decision is not applicable to the instant case.

30. The learned counsel for the petitioner drew our attention to the status of the petitioner as a 'Lawyer' in the society, highlighted the majesty and dignity of the legal profession and its members with a view to vindicate the right and entitlement of compensation and cited in Haniraj.L. Chulani v. Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa[AIR 199.SC 1708.and O.P.Sarma and Others v. High Court of Punjab and Hariyana [ 2011 (6)SCC 86], Harish Uppal v. Union of India (2003(2)SCC 45). We also agree with the dignity and majesty of the legal profession in Indian society and status of a lawyer as the officer of the court. But, we may say when considering the right and entitlement of fundamental rights especially the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution and its infringement by the State, according to us, all persons are equal and the status of the person whatever it may be does not make any difference, before us. W.P.C. 9963/2012 -29- The high status of the petitioner does not make him more deserving or eligible to get compensation for the infringement of fundamental rights. Each and every person has equal rights only whether he is a pavement dweller or lawyer . Therefore, we are not inclined to take the status as a relevant factor or criterion to decide remedy under public law for infringement of right to life, except for fixation of quantum of compensation. Right to Life 31. The life and liberty of an individual is so sacrosanct that it cannot be allowed to be interfered with except under the authority of law. It is a principle which has been recognised and applied in all civilised countries. The object of Article 21 is to prevent encroachment in the personal liberty of citizens by the Executive save in accordance with law and in conformity with the provisions thereof and in accordance with the procedure established by law. The meaning and content of the "Right to Life" and personal liberty have several facets and attributes and the Apex Court time and again declared the scope and ambit by catena of decisions. Right to Life; personal liberty is one of the basic human rights and not even State has the authority to violate that right ( See Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre V. State of W.P.C. 9963/2012 -30- Maharashtra [JT 2010(13 Sc 247)]. Right to move freely is an attribute of personal liberty. (Menaka Gandhi v. Union of India ,A.I.R. 1978 SC 597).

32. "Right to Life", set out in Article 21, means something more than mere survival or animal existence. (See: State of Maharashtra v. Chandrabhan tale(1983(3)SCC 387). This right also includes the right to live with human dignity and all that goes along with it, namely, the bare necessities of life such as adequate nutrition, clothing and shelter over the head and facilities for reading, writing and expressing oneself in different forms, freely moving about and mixing and commingling with fellow human beings. [See:Francis Corallie Mullin v.Administrator, Union Territory of Delhi;(1981 (1) SCC,608) Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corpn ( AIR 198.SC 180(paras 33 & 34)); Delhi Transport Corpn.v. D.T.C. Mazdoor Congress [AIR 199.SC 10.(paras 223,224 and 259)] In Kharak Singh v. State of U.P., (A.I.R. 1963 (SC) 1295) the Supreme Court held that unwarranted domiciliary visit by the police can be held to be violative of Article 21.

33. It is implicit that a person must be free from fear and threat to life inasmuch as life under fear and threat of death will W.P.C. 9963/2012 -31- be no life at all. The right to life would include right to live with human dignity. (Chameli Singh v. State of U.P.,AIR 199.SC 1051.and Olga Tellis Case (AIR 198.SC 180).

34. There is a great responsibility on the police to ensure that citizen in its custody is not deprived of his right to life. Wrongdoer is answerable to the victim and the State. State is responsible to the person, if the person is deprived of his life except according to the procedure established by law. Right to Life and police interference 35. Protection of an individual from torture and abuse by the police and other law enforcing officers is a matter of deep concern in a free society. The fundamental issue in this writ petition is whether monetary compensation should be awarded to the victims against the same for established infringement of the fundamental rights guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of India at the hands of the police officers. In D.K.Basu v. State of West Bengal (1997)1 S.C.C.416 the Supreme Court observed as follows: "Torture of a human being by another human being is essentially an instrument to impose the will of the strong over the weaker by suffering. The word torture W.P.C. 9963/2012 -32- today has become synonymous with the darker side of human civilisation. Custodial torture is a naked violation of human dignity and degradation which destroys, to a very large extent the individual personality. It is a calculated assault on human dignity and whenever human dignity is wounded, civilisation takes a step backward - flag of humanity must on each such occasion fly half-mast. Police is no doubt, under a legal duty and has legitimate right to arrest a criminal and to interrogate him during the investigation of an offence, but the law does not permit use of third-degree methods or torture of accused in custody during interrogation and investigation with a view to solve the crime. End cannot justify the means. The interrogation and investigation into a crime should be in true sense purposeful to make the investigation effective. By torturing a person and using third degree methods, the police would be accomplishing behind the closed doors what the demands of our legal order forbid. No society can permit it." 36. The courts have the obligation to satisfy the social aspirations of the citizens because the courts and the law are for the people and expected to respond to their aspirations. A court of law cannot close its consciousness and aliveness to stark realities. Mere punishment of the offender cannot give much W.P.C. 9963/2012 -33- solace to the family of the victim - civil action for damages is a long drawn and a cumbersome judicial process. Monetary compensation for redressal by the court finding the infringement of the indefeasible right to life of the citizen is, therefore, useful and at times perhaps the only effective remedy to apply balm to the wounds. This is the upshot, which the Supreme Court reminds us through Case Law.

37. Conclusion: In the light of the catena of case law quoted and referred above it is very clear in our mind that though there is no express provision in the Constitution of India for grant of compensation by the State for the infringement of right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court has judicially evolved that such victims are entitled to get compensation under public law in addition to remedies under private law. We find that the petitioner is entitled to get compensation from the first respondent/State for the infringement of his right to life and personal liberty at the hands of the respondents 5 to 7. Compensation: An order of payment of compensation would amount to enforcement of the rights that had been contravened. It is clearly a form of redress and it will be the only practicable W.P.C. 9963/2012 -34- form of redress. The enforcement of the constitutional right and grant of redress embraces award of compensation as part of the legal consequences of its contravention.

38. Lastly, what is the quantum of compensation? We feel that when considering quantum of compensation, his status, as a lawyer also having some relevancy, particularly when the act done by the respondents infringed his right to practice, his profession at least for a short period. Moreover permanent damages caused on the face of the petitioner is not denied by the respondents, and he is aged only 25. Replacement of 5 teeth is an expensive treatment also. None of the respondent disputed the life background of the petitioner. The victims who suffered physical as well as mental injury and pains at the hands of the Government servants due to abuse of power is entitled to get exemplary damages. Exemplary damages need not be calculated with reference to actual monetary loss suffered by the victim. Public functionaries particularly police which is entrusted with protection of the people can never be violator of law and order.

39. In Lucknow Development Authority v. M.K.Guptha, [ 1994(1)SCC 243.the Supreme Court observed that when the court directs payment of damages or W.P.C. 9963/2012 -35- compensation against State, the ultimate sufferer is the common man. It is the tax payers' money, which is paid for action of those who are entrusted under the Act to discharge their duties in accordance with law. We are inclined to keep this reality in our mind also. Therefore, we make it clear that it will be open to the Government to recover the amount, which is directed to be paid immediately by the first respondent, from respondents 5 to 7, after due enquiry and investigation.

40. Considering entire facts and circumstances of the case, we feel that an award of compensation of Rs.50,000/- , the relief which is prayed for, is just and proper to meet the ends of justice. We direct the first respondent to pay a compensation of Rs.50,000/-(Rupees fifty thousand only) to the petitioner within one month from the date of the judgment. The writ petition is allowed accordingly. Sd/- K.M. JOSEPH, JUDGE Sd/- K. HARILAL, JUDGE ks.