The Kerala High Court recently clarified that once a person’s name is added to a police “rowdy list” or surveillance sheet, the information is not displayed publicly at police stations but is instead kept in a secure area accessible only to police officials.

This, the Court said, is to ensure that a "criminal's right to privacy" is not violated.

Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan made these remarks while ordering the removal of a man's name from the rowdy list maintained at Fort Kochi Police Station, noting that the individual had not been involved in any criminal activity for the past eight years.

Addressing public misconceptions, the Court said there is a widespread belief—reinforced even by Malayalam films—that rowdy lists and the photographs of listed individuals are displayed openly in police stations. “This is a wrong concept,” the Court said, explaining that such lists are strictly for police reference and not meant for public exhibition.

The Court referred to a statement filed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the case, which explained that a person’s name and photograph are added to the rowdy list only if they have a history of serious criminal cases or are considered habitual offenders. However, even in such cases, the photographs are kept confidential and displayed only in secure zones within the police station that are not accessible to the public.

“In light of this, it is clear that the photographs of such individuals are not put up in public areas of the police station. This ensures their privacy is protected,” the Court concluded.

Accordingly, the Court directed that the petitioner’s name be removed from the surveillance list maintained by the Fort Kochi Police.

Case Title: XXX v. City Police Commissioner, Kochi & Ors.
Court: Kerala High Court
Judge: Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan