THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs N. VENUGOPAL AND OTHERS

The Supreme Court held that the prosecution of police officers for torture was not barred by Section 53 of the Madras District Police Act, 1859, as their actions were not authorized under any law. The Court clarified that the Madras Police Standing Order No. 145 was merely administrative and did not possess the force of law, rendering its non-compliance directory rather than mandatory. The Court upheld the trial's validity, stating that no miscarriage of justice was demonstrated due to the alleged illegal investigation.