Court Condemns Arrest for 10ml Liquor | Kerala News

kerala Court Condemns Arrest Over 10ml of Liquor, Questions Police Motive

A kerala court has sharply criticized a sub-inspector for arresting a young man for possessing a mere 10 milliliters of indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), highlighting a potential overreach of authority adn raising questions about equitable law enforcement. The incident underscores the importance of proportionality in policing, particularly within the context of the state’s Abkari Act, which permits individuals to possess up to three liters of IMFL.

The Arrest and Legal Context

The case centers around thirur Painkannur Variathodi Dhaneshi, a 32-year-old barber, who was arrested on the 25th of an unspecified month. He was subsequently held in remand for a full week.The court’s rebuke came during the proceedings for granting Dhaneshi bail. According to reports, the Mancheri District Principal Sessions Judge delivered a scathing assessment of the sub-inspector’s actions, suggesting a lack of sensitivity and potentially biased motives.

The court noted the stark contrast between the minimal amount of liquor involved and the legal allowance. “A young man was arrested for possessing only 10 milliliters of liquor, while a person can possess up to three liters of Indian-made foreign liquor under the Abkari Act,” the court observed.

Did you know? – Kerala’s Abkari Act regulates the sale and consumption of liquor. It allows individuals to possess up to three liters of IMFL, a substantially larger quantity than the 10 milliliters that led to Dhaneshi’s arrest.

Questioning the Motive

The judge’s order went further, speculating on the possible uses of the small amount of liquor. Observing that Dhaneshi operates a barber shop, the court suggested the liquid “might have been used as shaving lotion.” This observation led to a direct questioning of the sub-inspector’s motivations, with the court suggesting the officer was “overzealous in arresting the youth from the lower middle of the society.”

The court’s statement is a pointed critique of potential class bias in law enforcement. It raises concerns that individuals from less privileged backgrounds may be subjected to stricter scrutiny and harsher penalties for minor offenses.

Pro tip: – When reporting on legal cases, always verify the specific laws involved and the context of their request. Understanding the legal framework is crucial for accurate reporting.

A Democracy’s Standards

In a particularly forceful statement, the court contrasted the incident with practices in authoritarian regimes. “The court pointed out that such an arrest has not taken place in any banana republic but rather in the world’s largest democracy,” emphasizing the expectation of fairness and judiciousness within India’s legal system.

The court order explicitly called for greater sensitivity from investigating officers and urged senior police officials to review the matter. This directive signals a desire for systemic enhancement and a commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future.

This case serves as a crucial reminder of the need for balanced and thoughtful policing, ensuring that law enforcement actions are proportionate to the alleged offense and free from bias.

Reader question: – Do you think this case highlights a broader issue of police discretion and potential biases in the application of the law? Share your thoughts.

Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions, turning the update into a substantive news report:

what: A Kerala court strongly condemned a sub-inspector for arresting a 32-year-old barber, thirur Painkannur Variathodi Dhaneshi, for possessing only 10 milliliters of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL).

who: The key individuals involved are Thirur Painkannur Variathodi dhaneshi (the arrestee), the sub-inspector who made the arrest (name not specified), and the mancheri District Principal Sessions Judge who issued the critical order.

Why: The court