Sat May 03 11:00:27 UTC 2025: ## Madras High Court Issues Guidelines to Curb Police Harassment During Investigations
**Chennai, May 3, 2025** – The Madras High Court has issued new guidelines for Tamil Nadu police officers to prevent complaints of harassment during criminal investigations. The ruling, delivered by Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, mandates that police must summon individuals for inquiry only through a written notice under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), clearly specifying the date and time. Minutes of all inquiries must be recorded in the police station’s diary, and officers are explicitly forbidden from ill-treating suspects or witnesses.
The court’s decision stems from a petition filed by M. Raji alleging harassment by an Avadi Central Crime Branch Inspector over a property dispute. Justice Ilanthiraiyan acknowledged the numerous similar petitions filed with the court, highlighting the need for clear guidelines despite the judiciary’s general reluctance to interfere with police investigations.
The judge emphasized the necessity of adhering to Supreme Court guidelines from 2014 (Lalita Kumari case) regarding preliminary inquiries and FIR registration. While acknowledging the broad definition of “harassment,” the court stressed that the police’s investigative powers must be exercised within the framework of Chapter XIII of the BNSS, 2023. The new guidelines aim to address complaints of harassment while upholding the police’s legitimate investigative functions.
First Piper 