The Andhra Pradesh High Court has made strong remarks against the state police, stating that their "blood pressure is increasing" due to the way cases are being filed and statements are being created casually. The court expressed serious concern over the police's alleged tendency to arrest individuals arbitrarily and warned that officers working beyond legal limits would not be protected in the future.
The bench, hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the son of Madiga Mahasena founding president Prem Kumar, questioned the police’s handling of the case. It reminded officers that they must function according to the law, rules, and the police manual, rather than seeking the approval of higher authorities. The court warned that while registering cases against actual offenders is justified, filing cases solely to make arrests is a grave mistake.
Reacting strongly to Prem Kumar’s midnight arrest, the court asked whether such urgency was necessary for the case. It also questioned whether satirical placards criticizing the government could be considered as inciting hatred. The judges remarked that if such logic were applied, every movie actor or playwright criticizing the government in performances would need to be arrested.
The bench further criticized magistrates for approving police remand without proper justification. The judges demanded that Kurnool police submit Prem Kumar’s arrest records, expressing surprise that only ₹300 was recovered in the case. High Court Justices Rao Raghunam Dar Rao and Dr. Kumbhajadala Manmadha Rao issued orders on Tuesday, making it clear that arbitrary arrests would not be tolerated.
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