STATE OF PUNJAB vs RAJ KUMAR

The Supreme Court held that Rule 16.38 of the Punjab Police Rules is limited to departmental inquiries and does not override the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.). The Court clarified that the rule is intended to protect police officers from frivolous complaints and ensure proper investigation procedures, emphasizing that it does not establish a special statute for criminal offenses committed by police officers. The Full Bench's view that the Punjab Police Rules take precedence over the Cr.P.C. was overruled, affirming the necessity of adhering to the Cr.P.C. for criminal investigations.