Bombay HC Slams Illegal Journalist Arrest

The Bombay High Court declared the arrest of Thane-based journalist Abhijit Padale illegal, emphasizing that arrests should not be made based on mere allegations. The court directed the Maharashtra government to compensate Padale and initiated a probe into the conduct of the arresting officers.

The Bombay High Court has declared the arrest of Thane-based journalist Abhijit Padale as illegal, underscoring that arrests should not be made based on mere allegations.

A division bench led by Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Shyam Chandak ruled on August 22, ordering the Maharashtra government to compensate Padale Rs 25,000 and calling for a probe into the actions of the arresting officers from the Vakola police station.

The court emphasized that the police must justify the reasons for an arrest and adhere to the guidelines under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code before making an arrest.