India, March 30 -- The Madras high court has laid down guidelines to ensure citizens are not harassed by the police under the guise of investigation, underscoring the need for procedural safeguards in criminal inquiries.

"This Court, exercising its power under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), normally would not interfere with the investigation conducted by a police officer. Nevertheless, it would also not turn a blind eye to instances of harassment by the police under the guise of investigation when such matters are brought to its notice," a bench of justice GK Ilanthiraiyan said.

The guidelines were issued by the judge, in an order issued on March 27, while hearing a petition filed by software firm Rippling...