Police protection may be granted only upon verified imminent threats; unsubstantiated claims do not warrant intervention.

JUDGMENT

Petitioner seeks for police protection for his life and his family to reside in House No.48A in Ward No.15 of Peruvallur Grama Panchayath.

2. Petitioner alleges that he and his family are being threatened and harassed by the 3^rd respondent, who is a real estate broker. According to the petitioner, the 3^rd respondent had approached him, promising to arrange certain loans from financial institutions and introduced other persons as well. Based on the promises made by persons introduced by the 3^rd respondent, petitioner registered certain documents without receiving any amounts. In the meantime, while the petitioner was taking steps to cancel the document registered by him, without any consideration, the 3^rd respondent, along with his henchmen, came to the petitioner's house and threatened his family. Despite filing a complaint before the police and requesting adequate protection, they have refused to address the grievance of the petitioner. Hence, he has approached this Court through this writ petition.

3. Though notice was given to the 3^rd respondent, none appears on his behalf.

4. The learned Government Pleader submitted that the petitioner is not residing in the house and he is in Bangalore at present, and there are monetary disputes between the petitioner and the 3^rd respondent. It was also submitted that there is no threat or even any cause for apprehension of threat from the 3^rd respondent.

5. The petitioner and the persons allegedly acting under the

3^rd respondent had certain financial transactions in connection with a property. The allegation of threat to the petitioner and his family is not justified by any material produced. Further, the police have also, after verification, submitted that there is no threat from the 3^rd respondent. Hence, no specific direction to grant police protection for the life of the petitioner or his family is necessary.

However, since the 3rd respondent has not appeared before this Court, and the petitioner apprehends a threat from the 3^rd respondent and his henchmen, I am of the view that as and when the petitioner intimates the 2^nd respondent in writing about any imminent threat to the life of the petitioner or his family members and if on verification, the same is found to be justified, the 2^nd respondent shall initiate appropriate action to avert such a situation by providing necessary protection to the petitioner and his family.

The writ petition is disposed of with the above observations.

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