New Delhi: Justice Gautam Patel of the Bombay High Court, speaking at an event hosted by the Indian Police Foundation on its annual day and Police Reforms Day, criticized the problematic portrayal of a “hero cop” in movies like “Singham.” He expressed concern that such portrayals send a harmful message, emphasizing swift justice at the expense of due process.
Addressing the topic of police reforms, the judge expressed disappointment in the missed opportunity presented by the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Prakash Singh case. He highlighted the need for self-reform within the law enforcement system, stating that reforming the machinery of law enforcement is contingent on individuals reforming themselves.
Justice Patel also commented on the prevailing perception of the police as “bullying, corrupt, and unaccountable,” noting that this negative image extends to various figures in public life, including judges, politicians, and journalists.
Furthermore, he pointed out that when the public perceives the courts as ineffective, it often applauds the intervention of the police as an alternative.
“This is why,” Justice Patel stated, “when a rape accused faces a fatal encounter while purportedly attempting to escape, people perceive it not only as acceptable but even commendable. They believe justice has been delivered, but has it?”
Justice Patel emphasized that this perspective is deeply ingrained and prominently depicted in our popular culture, particularly in Indian cinema. He pointed out, “In movies, the police often criticize judges who are portrayed as passive, timid, bespectacled, and frequently poorly dressed. They accuse the courts of letting the guilty go free, while the hero cop takes matters into their own hands.”
He specifically referenced the film “Singham,” highlighting its climax scene where the entire police force converges on a politician portrayed by Prakash Raj, seemingly symbolizing the attainment of justice. Justice Patel questioned this notion, asking, “But I ask, has it? We should contemplate how perilous that message is.”
Justice Patel also pondered the impatience prevalent in society, urging consideration of the legal process designed to determine innocence or guilt. He acknowledged that these processes may be slow, but emphasized their necessity, stating, “They have to be slow because of the fundamental principle that an individual’s liberty should not be arbitrarily confiscated.”
Justice Patel cautioned that if we opt for “quick fixes” over this established process, we undermine the principles of the rule of law.
“Singham” (2011), an action film directed by Rohit Shetty and featuring Ajay Devgn as a police officer in the lead role, is a remake of the 2010 Tamil movie of the same name.