This story is from April 9, 2020

Telangana HC seeks reply on excesses, declines to be harsh on cops

The Telangana high court on Wednesday made it clear it will not do anything to demoralise police, who are struggling to enforce the lockdown for the larger good of society, but advised authorities to ensure that the men in khaki must enquire into the reasons why people are out on the roads.
Telangana HC seeks reply on excesses, declines to be harsh on cops
Policemen enquire about movement of people in Kukatpally on Wednesday
HYDERABAD: The Telangana high court on Wednesday made it clear it will not do anything to demoralise police, who are struggling to enforce the lockdown for the larger good of society, but advised authorities to ensure that the men in khaki must enquire into the reasons why people are out on the roads.
“That will be better rather than straightaway beating them,” the HC judges said
A bench, comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice T Amarnath Goud, made these remarks while hearing a public interest petition (PIL) that charged police with acting in an excessive manner.

The bench converted four letters written by advocates, all espousing the causes of various sections of people in the backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown and the state government’s orders to strictly enforce the relevant guidelines, into PILs.
The judges said that they would not presume that the police force all over the state was acting in a hasty manner. A letter referring to an incident in Wanaparthy wanted the advocate general to advise the director-general of police (DGP) to ask his men to adopt a friendly approach while dealing with lockdown violators.
Advocate-general BS Prasad informed the bench that the DGP was in favour of friendly policing and necessary instructions were already given by him.

The bench issued notice to the state home secretary, the DGP and other police authorities asking them to file their replies by April 16 on the Wanaparthy incident, where a man was beaten up in front of his minor son.
The high court, while hearing another PIL (letter) that sought protection to doctors employed at Covid-19 wards, sought to know about the security arrangements made by the state at such hospitals. “Inform us within a week about the steps taken in this regard at all Covid-19 hospitals situated both in Hyderabad and in the rest of the state,” the bench said.
The two-judge bench sought to know the response of the state on another PIL that wanted the state to use disinfectants at all public places like markets, Rythu Bazaars, etc., because they were getting crowded during relaxation periods.
The judges also sought a reply from the state on another PIL that said that salary and pension cut imposed by the state were violating the rights of the employees and pensioners.
All four PILs were posted to April 17 for further hearing.
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