Drizzt
May 21, 2003, 10:40 PM
The Economic Times
May 20, 2003
LENGTH: 314 words
HEADLINE: POLICE ASK PEOPLE TO KILL ATTACKERS
BYLINE: B G Rajeswar
BODY:
HYDERABAD: The Kukatpally police has released an audio cassette - now being played at public places - which says that people can kill others in self-defence.
Retaliation in self-defence by a victim that may lead to the death of the attacker is accepted by law. But only when it is proved beyond doubt that the victim was indeed in mortal danger from the attacker. However, by kicking off a campaign on advising people to launch retaliatory steps at the attackers, both real and potential, the police appeared to have opened a can of worms.
The audio cassette, possibly the first of its kind in the state and which offers tips on various aspects of safety, says law offers protection to people who kill their attackers in self-defence.
It also advises the Kukatpally residents to arm themselves with tools of self-defence - chilli powder, stout sticks and the like - to deter the attackers or robbers who raid their houses.
A similar appeal by the then Rangareddy district superintendent of police N V Surendra Babu about four years ago had drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations.
These organisations had opposed Babu's campaign fearing that some people may take advantage of such a stand taken by the police to settle scores with their rivals.
Along with the advice to launch mortal retaliatory charges against attackers, the Kukatpally police have also asked the residents to form groups and join the police personnel in night patrolling.
While this is so, the move by the police has been viewed with alarm by the legal community of the city.
"Such retaliatory attacks in self-defence are viewed differently in each case. What is important is to see whether the force used in such cases is in excess of what is needed or whether it is justified. Making a blanket case for such retaliation may not be advisable", a criminal lawyer said.
May 20, 2003
LENGTH: 314 words
HEADLINE: POLICE ASK PEOPLE TO KILL ATTACKERS
BYLINE: B G Rajeswar
BODY:
HYDERABAD: The Kukatpally police has released an audio cassette - now being played at public places - which says that people can kill others in self-defence.
Retaliation in self-defence by a victim that may lead to the death of the attacker is accepted by law. But only when it is proved beyond doubt that the victim was indeed in mortal danger from the attacker. However, by kicking off a campaign on advising people to launch retaliatory steps at the attackers, both real and potential, the police appeared to have opened a can of worms.
The audio cassette, possibly the first of its kind in the state and which offers tips on various aspects of safety, says law offers protection to people who kill their attackers in self-defence.
It also advises the Kukatpally residents to arm themselves with tools of self-defence - chilli powder, stout sticks and the like - to deter the attackers or robbers who raid their houses.
A similar appeal by the then Rangareddy district superintendent of police N V Surendra Babu about four years ago had drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations.
These organisations had opposed Babu's campaign fearing that some people may take advantage of such a stand taken by the police to settle scores with their rivals.
Along with the advice to launch mortal retaliatory charges against attackers, the Kukatpally police have also asked the residents to form groups and join the police personnel in night patrolling.
While this is so, the move by the police has been viewed with alarm by the legal community of the city.
"Such retaliatory attacks in self-defence are viewed differently in each case. What is important is to see whether the force used in such cases is in excess of what is needed or whether it is justified. Making a blanket case for such retaliation may not be advisable", a criminal lawyer said.