Thu Mar 06 14:45:59 UTC 2025: ## Coimbatore Police Face Backlash Over Mass Searches of Student Accommodations

**COIMBATORE, March 6, 2025** – Human rights activists in Coimbatore are condemning recent mass searches of student accommodations by police, calling the actions a violation of fundamental rights and a form of stigmatization. The searches, conducted by both the Coimbatore City and District (Rural) Police, were ostensibly preventative measures against crime and substance abuse. However, critics argue the police are misusing their powers and targeting students without warrants.

V.P. Sarathi, Chairperson of the Coimbatore Human Rights Forum, stated that police are legally required to obtain warrants before conducting searches, except in cases of immediate urgency requiring prior magistrate approval. S. Balamurugan, National Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberty (PUCL), accused the police of portraying college students as “potential criminals,” and pointed out that such searches infringe on privacy and could lead to students being denied housing. He further highlighted the potential for stigmatization within the student community itself.

Henri Tiphagne, founder of People’s Watch, a human rights organization, condemned the mass searches and suggested the police should focus on addressing the source of drugs and dismantling drug cartels instead of targeting students. He emphasized the burden placed on innocent students whose names and photos are circulated after searches.

While police claim proper procedures were followed, human rights groups maintain that the searches are indiscriminate and violate the rights of students. They cite a 2015 Bombay High Court order stating that police cannot invade the privacy of innocent individuals through unwarranted searches. The groups are particularly concerned about the misuse of Section 42 of the Narcotic Drugs And Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which allows for entry, search, seizure, and arrest without a warrant. They argue that reasonable suspicion is necessary for invoking this section. The controversy highlights a growing tension between law enforcement and civil liberties in Coimbatore.

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