Breaking SUPREME COURT REAFFIRMS PUBLIC DOMAIN PROTECTION FOR DIGITAL LAWS
New Delhi · Tuesday, 22 September 2026 9888666310 | [email protected]
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Supreme Court of India 2016-03-04 allowed

State of Kerala vs P.B. Sourabhan & Ors

Bench: 2 — Ranjan Gogoi

In Brief

Two criminal cases involving matrimonial disputes were registered at a police station. A complainant sought the State Police Chief to appoint a competent and neutral officer for further investigation. The Chief appointed an officer from outside the station's jurisdiction. The High Court quashed this appointment, holding it exceeded powers under the Criminal Procedure Code. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, holding that the State Police Chief can appoint any suitable officer for investigation irrespective of territorial jurisdiction limits, based on his administrative discretion, as long as the decision is made in good faith and with reasonable cause."

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Criminal Procedure Police Administration Jurisdiction Investigation Supervisory Powers

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