"Criminal prosecution against an accused can very well be initiated or continued, notwithstanding his exoneration on the identical charge in the departmental proceedings," the Court held.
Justice PG Ajithkumar directed police to not arrest Aloor without giving notice as provided under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The Court was dealing with petitions concerning police misconduct, including one filed by the KHCAA after a police officer was said to have verbally abused an advocate in Palakkad.
The Court made an exception for an 85-year-old widow and allowed her to reclaim a part of her waterlogged property, which otherwise would not have been permitted as per the Conservation of Paddy Land and Wet Land Act.
"Such an order only reflects the competence of the persons who are manning such an important Tribunal. The Order shows the lack of basic understanding of the law," the Kerala High Court added.