Police Lack Authority To Adjudicate Civil Disputes, Must Refer Parties To Competent Civil Court Or ADR: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that the police do not have the authority to adjudicate civil disputes and should refer such matters to the appropriate civil courts or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The ruling came in response to a case where the police intervened in a property dispute, which the court found to be beyond their jurisdiction. The judgment reinforces the separation of powers, clarifying that civil matters should be resolved through judicial or ADR processes, not through police intervention. This ruling is significant in maintaining the proper channels for resolving civil disputes and ensuring that the police focus on their role in maintaining law and order.