SPC Loknath Behera warns police against enforcing tribunal orders in civil disputes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police chief has reminded police officials to keep off from giving assistance in implementing orders of arbitrary tribunals in civil disputes. According to a fresh circular from state police chief Loknath Behera, the police need to give assistance in civil disputes only in case there is an order of a civil court. The fresh circular was issued as several instances of police interfering in civil disputes based on tribunal orders came to the notice of the state police chief, sources said. Though similar circulars were issued earlier also, they were not being followed strictly.

"The sole arbitrator or arbitrators or arbitrary tribunals are not civil courts in strict sense of the term. Hence their orders can be enforced only through civil courts or high court. Therefore, all officers are instructed not to provide assistance to enforce the order passed by any arbitrary tribunal without the direction of a civil court," said the circular quoting High Court orders. Police sources said that the police chief issued a fresh circular after reviewing widespread complaints of police intervention into civil disputes.