“Let this Be an Example to All Officers”: Kerala High Court Sentences Two Month’s Jail to Police Officer for Verbally Abusing Lawyer

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Justice Devan Ramachandran delivered the verdict against VR Rineesh, a sub-inspector at Alathur police station, and emphasized that the ruling should serve as a deterrent to all police personnel, warning them of the serious consequences of disrespecting legal professionals.

Kerala: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday(4th Sept) convicted a police officer under the Contempt of Courts Act for allegedly using abusive language and shouting expletives at an advocate.

The Court sentenced the officer to two months in jail but suspended the sentence for a year, provided he refrains from similar conduct during that time.

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Justice Devan Ramachandran delivered the verdict against VR Rineesh, a sub-inspector at Alathur police station, and emphasized that the ruling should serve as a deterrent to all police personnel, warning them of the serious consequences of disrespecting legal professionals.

“Let this be an example to all officers. The Kerala High Court has held a police officer accountable for contempt,”

the Court stated.

The order was issued while hearing multiple petitions regarding police misconduct, including one from the Kerala High Court Advocate Association (KHCAA), which sought a fast-track mechanism for handling such complaints. The KHCAA’s petition followed the Alathur incident, where Rineesh allegedly used offensive language against an advocate.

Although the officer submitted an unconditional apology, the Court remained skeptical about its sincerity, especially given previous directives to curb police misconduct. Rineesh later filed a second affidavit with a more genuine apology, but the Court noted that a prompt apology would have carried more weight.

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In its ruling, the Court remarked,

“While the 2nd affidavit offers an unconditional apology, it is regrettable that the first was reserved and conditional. As argued by the petitioner’s counsel, Sri Yeshwant Shenoy, a proper apology should be immediate, and the respondent’s delayed approach suggests a lack of genuine remorse.”

The Court imposed the two-month imprisonment, suspending the sentence on the condition that the officer avoids further contemptuous actions for one year, after which the sentence would be nullified.

Case Title: Mahesh R v Anil Kant

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