Legal Consequences And Penalties Of Harassment Of Police Officers

In India, the most pressing problem faced by the people and law enforcement agencies is that of the harassment of police officers, which not only poses a threat to the safety of the public but also hinders the maintenance of law and order, as well as brings disrepute to the justice system. Police officers are required as the embodiment of the law and hence they have very essential roles to play in the enforcement of law, conducting investigations and ensuring that there is justice. In this regard therefore, persecuting such personnel is not only an attack on individuals but also on the very ideals of law and order, which is the ultimate goal.

Legal Consequences And Penalties Of Harassment Of Police Officers

Harassment of Police Officers: About

  • In India, police personnel might be harassed in many ways which include but not limited to the following; threats, physical assault, intimidation, obstruction of duty, malicious prosecution, and verbal abuse. It can be psychological or physical, and it typically occurs during riots, protests, or hostilities when people think the law enforcement agents are using excessive or unwarranted force in carrying out their mandates.
  • Direct physical assault is but one form of harassment; there are others, such as the false charges or complaints lodged against a police officer with the aim of maligning his reputation or ruining his career. The law is frequently abused in this manner in order to intimidate the officers from carrying out their duties. Therefore, it is necessary to have some provisions that will adequately deal with and prevent such acts.

Legal Consequences of Harassment of Police Officers 

  • Section 221 of the BNS: The BNS precisely provides for the crime of obstruction of police in the execution of their duties, Section 221 thereof. This provision indicates that a person who wilfully obstructs a public servant in the discharge of his functions shall incur a punishment of an imprisonment not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding 2500 rupees or both. This provision seeks to protect law enforcement agencies from undue resistance or interference in their work.
  • Section 121 (1) of the BNS: In Section 121(1) of the BNS, the penalties of the law are described for anybody who injures police officials on duty. Causing intentional pain to a government worker, in an abuse of them carrying out an act of duty, is punishable by five years of imprisonment and/or paying fines. This particular clause makes an understanding that, aside from being an assault to the individual, any physical harm inflicted to the police also has the purpose of preventing the society from being disorderly.
  • Section 132 of the BNS: Any person who attacks a public servant or employs unlawful force against them in order to prevent the service from performing their function is liable to punishment under Section 132. It provides that such punishment may include a fine not exceeding, imprisonment within the confines of two years or both. This provision seeks to protect police and officers from the incidence of violent crime especially when they are engaged in the particular crucial policing activities.
  • Section 351 (2) of the BNS: Criminal intimidation is an offense defined under Section 351 (2) of BNS which entails making threats against a law enforcement officer or any public official in a bid to instill fear or prevent them from performing their official duties. The offence of criminal intimidation is punishable by imprisonment for a term of two years or a term of fine or both. If the threat posed is so grave that there is a real possibility of violence, the maximum penalty becomes seven years imprisonment.
  • Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act: This legislation was developed with the aim of protecting state assets, for instance, law enforcement vehicles, police buildings, and other facilities which aid the operations of the police. When policemen are distressed in the course of quelling riots or mob actions, causing destruction to public assets becomes a possibility hence the need for this Act with stiff penalties. The Act provides for imprisonment for a term of five years and payment of compensation for the loss caused.
  • Contempt of Court Act: Inquisition and persecution of the police during the court proceedings can extend to unlawful interference and initiation of baseless legal processes aimed at the subjects of the legal process, which could be viewed as interference with court functions. Judges’ powers under the Contempt of Court Act extend to the punishment of persons who allege corruption of the legal systems and restrict their operations, including those who aid the courts from law enforcement agencies.

One can talk to lawyer from Lead India for any kind of legal support. In India, free legal advice online can be obtained at Lead India. Along with receiving free legal advice online, one can also ask questions to the experts online free through Lead India.

Read Also:

Legal Consequences And Punishments For Filing A False Rape Case

Comments

New comments are not allowed.

Popular posts from this blog

Marriage Procedure in Manipur

Image
There are two types of marriages in India. The one which is done in the traditional way. In this, all the traditions of a family related to marriage are performed. Traditions like haldi, mehndi, sagai, shadi etc. The other type of marriage is court marriage. In this, the parties need to go to the marriage registrar with some witnesses and sign the document of marriage registration. After this, their witnesses also need to sign it and the marriage is called to be solemnized. Court marriages are preferred by those couples who want their marriage to be hassle-free and within a short time period. The other couple who want court marriage are those whose parents are not ready for their marriage. The court marriages are performed under the Special Marriage Act generally. How marriage is performed in Manipur Hejiapot: The groom’s family brings gifts and food for the bride’s house in the official engagement. They also bring rings for both sides. In this ceremony, only the elders of the family t...
Read more

WHAT IS RERA ACT

Image
  The Real Estate Regulation and Development Act of the year 2016 gave rise to the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, which was established and initiated to safeguard and protect the homebuyers as well as encourage the investments in connection with real estate investments. On 10 th March, 2016, the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House, passed this particular bill, which became the Parliament of India Act. The particular Act came into force on 1 st May, 2016.  RERA Act: Objectives Protection of the Consumer: By guaranteeing and ensuring the procedures equitably, disseminating information within time frame, as well as mediating and resolving conflicts and disputes between purchasers as well as the developers, the RERA Act aims to protect and safeguard the interests of the homebuyers. Procedure with Transparency: By asking for the developers to disclose all the specifics of the project, such as the timetables of the project, legal approvals, as well as any financial information, it see...
Read more

How Much Amount Of Money Awarded In Cases Of Illegal Termination

Image
An illegal termination claim is a legal action taken by an individual who feels they were wrongfully or unlawfully terminated from their employment. Claims of wrongful termination related to claims of breaches of labour regulations, such as collective bargaining rules or whistleblower laws, oral and written employment agreements or contracts, or federal or state anti-discrimination statutes. Depending on the facts of the case and the jurisdiction where it is decided, an employee who has been unlawfully fired may be entitled to a variety of compensation. When an employee is let go in defiance of public policy, contractual obligations, or employment rules, it is commonly referred to as a "wrongful termination ." There are many labour laws which governed illegal termination, primarily Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 deals with it. WHAT IS ILLEGAL TERMINATION? An act of wrongful or illegal termination occurs when an employer fires, dismisses, or eliminates an employee without givin...
Read more