Religious institutions are not above law: HC

Kochi, Jan 25 (UNI) Mr Justice R Basanth of the Kerala High Court today observed that religious institutions were not above the law.

The Court made the observation while dismissing the writ petition filed by the Director of the Divine Retreat Centre, Muringoor (Thrissur district) against the investigation by a special team of the police on September and October.

The investigation was carried out by the special team headed by Inspector-General Vincent Paul as per an order of the Court following complaints about irregularities in the running of the Centre.

The Centre's Director filed the writ petition alleging that the "police raid" was illegal.

Dismissing the petition, Mr Justice Basanth said: "I am unable to find any specific act of impropriety or illegality or any act without an authority committed by the investigation officer and his team." The Court further observed that no one could resist any investigation into crimes or irregularities on the plea that the institution was a religious one.

UNI