The Karnataka High Court has ordered the state government to pay ₹5 lakhs as compensation to Ningaraju N for his wrongful arrest due to a mix-up in identity. The court emphasized that arresting officers must verify the identity of the person they are arresting to ensure it matches the individual named in the warrant.
Justice Suraj Govindaraj, presiding over the case, highlighted that Ningaraju N was mistakenly arrested because his father’s name was similar to that of the person named in the warrant. The judge remarked, “The only reason why the applicant was arrested is that the name of his father was similar to the name of the person named in the warrant. I am unable to comprehend how the father’s name being similar or even identical would have any role in the arrest.”
The court underscored the importance of the Right to Life and Liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Arresting a person without proper authorization violates these fundamental rights.
Justice Govindaraj stated, “The arrestee having been put to loss of liberty as also loss of reputation, I am of the considered opinion that the State would be liable to compensate the arrestee for the same.” The court fixed the compensation at ₹5,00,000 (Rupees 5 Lakhs) to be paid within eight weeks. The State is also permitted to recover this amount from the police officers responsible for the wrongful arrest.
Furthermore, the court directed the Director General of Police to ensure that arresting officers are trained in verifying the identity of individuals before making an arrest. If guidelines or standard operating procedures are not already in place, they must be issued within four weeks.
Case Title: Ningaraju N v. Official Liquidator of M/S India Holiday (Pvt) Ltd.
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