The State government has turned down the CBI’s request for sanction to prosecute 54 police personnel in its probe into the clashes between advocates, police and the media at the Civil Court complex three years.
The CBI had sought permission in December 2014 against officers, including two IPS officers, who were found damaging public property, “causing hurt by dangerous weapons, mischief by fire and explosives and trespass during the clashes”.
During the cabinet meeting on May 25 this year, the government rejected the request stating that despite the best efforts by the police and judges, advocates continued to vandalise property and indulged in unlawful activities.
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Therefore, the police had to act as mandated to maintain peace and protect public property, failing which they would have been held responsible for dereliction of duty.
“The government is convinced that all the actions of the police on March 2, 2012 are within the scope and range of the official duties and therefore they are entitled for protection as per the Section 197 and Section 132 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” the government said in its order.