The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu police to stop making unnecessary arrests, particularly on Fridays, during criminal investigations.

“The police must be made to understand that all criminal cases need not necessarily involve arrest of accused persons during the investigation and an effective investigation can be done even otherwise,” Justice Anand Venkatesh observed while hearing a plea filed by a man seeking anticipatory bail.

“Ultimately, the aim is to stop unnecessary or hasty or illegal arrests. These arrests normally take place on a Friday or a day prior to holidays to ensure that the accused does not come out on bail immediately,” the judge added, asking the Tamil Nadu police to pull their socks up and show more quality and maturity in investigation techniques. The judge added that a change in the attitude will also reduce the number of unnecessary anticipatory bail petitions.

—India Legal Bureau