The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court recently ruled that police officers cannot compel citizens or public servants to assist them in their duties. The court criticized the prevailing “unfortunate mentality” within the police department, which assumes that everyone must prioritize police instructions or offer assistance. The division bench, comprising Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay Deshmukh, emphasized that refusing to help the police does not constitute an offense in all situations. Consequently, the court quashed an FIR filed under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to disobedience of lawful orders by a public servant.

This judgment underscores the principle that citizens are not obligated to assist law enforcement unless specifically mandated by law. It highlights the importance of respecting individual autonomy and ensuring that assistance to the police is voluntary, rather than compelled.

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