Kerala High Court Directs Strict Compliance with Pre-Arrest Formalities in Criminal Cases

The Kerala High Court has directed all criminal courts in the state to strictly follow pre-arrest formalities as outlined in Supreme Court rulings before considering remand applications. The court emphasized that magistrates or judges must obtain endorsements confirming compliance and the accused's consent. It warned of disciplinary action against officers deliberately ignoring these procedures. These directions arose during the bail hearing of a deputy range forest officer accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague at the workplace.