Police Officer's Testimony Not Infirm Merely Because He Belongs To The Force, Can Be Basis Of Conviction If Evidence Is Reliable: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court ruled that the testimony of a police officer can be the basis for conviction if it is reliable, even though the officer belongs to the police force. The court emphasized that there is no rule of law that disqualifies police testimony solely because of the officer’s affiliation with the police. The ruling came in a case where two men were convicted for possessing counterfeit currency based on the testimony of a police officer who led the investigation. The court noted that the presumption of honesty applies to police officers as well, and their testimony should be scrutinized carefully but not dismissed outright. The decision highlights the importance of evaluating the credibility of evidence rather than disqualifying it based on the witness’s profession.