The Madras HC directed the State government to register criminal cases against police officers taking mamool (bribes paid by shop vendors to police)

Case: K Kumaradoss v. The Principal Secretary to Government

Court: Justice SM Subramaniam of Madras High Court

The Madras High Court directed the State government and the Director-General of Police to take adequate steps to eradicate the practice of police officers taking mamool (bribes paid by shop vendors to police). The HC ordered the registration of criminal cases against such police. 

The HC believed that offenses went unnoticed or were allowed as the police lacked the moral courage to control the offenders since they are accepting mamool one way or the other. The HC also noted that the higher officials are aware of these offenses, and yet there was little attempt to reduce the commission of such crimes. 

BACKGROUND

The HC was considering a plea moved by a retired special sub-inspector challenging an order of confirmation of punishment by appellate authorities. During his service term, the petitioner was found to be receiving mamool of ₹50 twice a week from a bunk shop. The petitioner was slapped with a reduction in the time scale of pay by three stages for three years. He contended that he had an unblemished record of service and the charges against him were on a false complaint. Additionally, the punishment was imposed during the end of his retirement, and thus, could not be implemented.

The respondents argued that the punishment was imposed when the petitioner was in service and was therefore implemented. 

HELD

The Court found that in a detailed inquiry, it was found that the retired official took mamool, and hence, the punishment could not be said to be disproportionate. In fact, the HC went on to remark that the nature of the punishment imposed reflected that the police department had not taken the corruption charges seriously.