The Madras High Court on Friday directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action against policemen who were involved in conducting 'katta panchayats' or kangaroo courts, reports The New Indian Express.
The court reportedly took a serious note of policemen conducting 'katta panchayats' between parties, in cheque bounce cases registered under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act. According to the court, this was being done after the issuance of non-bailable warrants.
Justice CT Selvam gave the order after the court took suo moto cognisance of the practice under Sec. 482 of CrPC.
The court observed that in cases where non-bailable warrants have been issued under the NI Act, the police, on securing the complainant and accused, held 'katta panchayats' at the police station.
The court further said that the settlement or arrangement made between parties is recorded and after that, the accused is allowed to walk away.
The TNIE reports the court as saying that the complainant in such a case obtains an admission or undertaking for repayment through the police and on the other, the dignity of the court is undermined as the accused, pursuant to a non-bailable warrant issued by the court, is not produced before it.
'The position raised issues of serious concern and it would be proper to require the DGP to issue instruction to avoid such wrongdoings,' the judge said.