Crl.O.P.(MD).No.7252 of 2021 N.ANAND VENKATESH, J. The main allegation that has been made against the accused persons isthat they were travelling in an Auto-Rikshaw without following theCOVID-19 Protocol and when the same was questioned by the Police, theyare said to have abused them and prevented them from doing their publicduty. There are totally five accused persons in this case and the petitioner hasbeen ranked as Accused No.4.

Crl.O.P.(MD).No.7252 of 2021

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.

The main allegation that has been made against the accused persons isthat they were travelling in an Auto-Rikshaw without following theCOVID-19 Protocol and when the same was questioned by the Police, theyare said to have abused them and prevented them from doing their publicduty. There are totally five accused persons in this case and the petitioner hasbeen ranked as Accused No.4.

2. Mr.S.Ravi, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for therespondent Police, on instructions, would submit that Accused Nos.1 to 3were arrested and remanded to judicial custody and other two persons are absconding.

3. In the considered view of this Court, the Police are alreadyfunctioning under severe stress due to the pandemic situation. Everyoneshould realize their responsibility, since virus is taking away precious lives ofinnocent persons. After all, the Police are only performing their public dutyand when they are questioned by someone, who is moving around, whenthere is a total lockdown, the concerned person is expected to properly1/3
Crl.O.P.(MD).No.7252 of 2021answer the Police. The Police cannot be subjected to abuse and threat byanyone and such acts must be dealt with very sternly. This Court is not goingto be lenient when it comes of threatening the Police, when they areperforming their duty during this pandemic situation.

4. The petitioner is directed to file an affidavit in the Registryexpressing regret for the entire incident and giving an undertaking that hewill not involve himself in any such activity in future. That apart, thepetitioner must also be made to pay some amount as compensation.Therefore, the petitioner is directed to deposit a sum of Rs.10,000/- (RupeesTen Thousand only) before the Advocate Clerk’s Welfare Association,Madurai-625 023 (Indian Bank Savings Account No.496039124, IFSC Code:IDIB000H040), on or before 11.06.2021.

5. Post this case under the caption for reporting compliance on14.06.2021. In the meantime the respondent Police shall not arrest the petitioner.

07.06.2021

tsg

N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.
tsg

Crl.O.P.(MD).No.7252 of 2021

07.06.2021