Cannot charge citizens for questioning authority of police in plain clothes: Kerala High Court

If a police officer on duty is not wearing his/ her uniform, individuals who question the said officer's authority cannot be booked for obstruction, the Kerala High Court recently ruled (Avinash v State of Kerala).

"The uniform of a police man is his direct identification. A policeman in uniform is visible and a citizen immediately knows that he is a police man which will inform that the said individual is in charge of his protection and prevention of offences. It carries an undeniable symbolic value besides representing the State authority. The police uniform also symbolises pride, respect and authority over the citizens," the order stated.