Ex-Kollam Bar Association President Alleges Contempt, Kerala High Court Seeks State's Stand On Theft Case Probe

Former Kollam Bar Association President, Adv. Dheeraj Ravi, has initiated contempt proceedings before the Kerala High Court against the Kollam City Police Commissioner for allegedly not complying with the Court's direction to conduct a Crime Branch investigation into a theft that occurred in his residence.

When the matter came up for admission, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan directed the public prosecutor to get instructions.

The order for Crime Branch investigation was granted on September 23, 2024 in the lawyer's plea to constitute a Special Investigation Team headed by a superior police officer to conduct a proper investigation on his complaint. According to the complaint, the theft occurred during the night of 28th April, 2023 and, 27 sovereigns of gold were stolen from his residence.

In the plea, it is stated that though the petitioner had specifically intimated to the Police that the crime was committed as a retaliation against him for appearing against certain persons aligned with the ruling party, investigation was not conducted properly and the complaint was closed abruptly. Following the High Court's order for Crime Branch investigation, an order was passed by the District Police Chief, Kollam transferring the case but giving supervisory powers to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Kollam.

Thereupon, the petitioner filed a petition to review the judgment since the same officer is still supervising the investigation. However, it was dismissed.

Now, the present contempt petition is filed alleging that proper investigation has not yet been carried out in the case. It is also stated that the police have not questioned the witnesses or suspects.

As per the contempt petition, the Court, while ordering Crime Branch investigation, had noted the delay in conducting a proper investigation into the FIR and also the fact that no breakthrough has been made out despite the lapse of such a long time. However, even now there has been no effective investigation into the case and the accused persons are being protected by the police official with the aid of the ruling party, it is stated.

The case will be heard again on September 12.

The petition is moved by Advocates Nisha George, A.L.Navaneeth Krishnan, Namita Philson and Akshara Raju. The contempt petitioner is represented by Senior Advocate George Poonthottam.

Case No: Con.Case(C) 2041/2025

Case Title: Adv. Dheeraj Ravi v. Kiran Narayanan IPS