The Bombay High Court on Tuesday urged the state to take steps to motivate the police to work harder and train them better so they are more effective in their job.
A division bench was continuing the hearing on a public interest petition by Ashwini Rane, who is seeking a CBI probe into the murder of her husband Nikhil, a Pune builder, in 2009.
A fortnight ago, judges VM Kanade and PD Kode had expressed their dissatisfaction over the investigation process and low conviction rate. They had asked the government to furnish details of the number of personnel dedicated for investigations and those engaged in VIP security duty.
However, on Tuesday, Sandeep Shinde, the additional public prosecutor, said policing was bifurcated into investigations and law and order. But the number of police in the two branches was not available.
The judges sought to also know the ratio of personnel to the total population in the city and across the state and asked the government to provide the details by November 13.
The court remarked that even if personnel were not given promotions there should be regular appraisals. "This will motivate them to work," judge Kanade said.
Judge Kode asked whether cops were given regular training and firing practice. "Give training every year, otherwise when there is a terrorist strike their rifles will not fire," the judge said.
The court also asked whether the police were provided facilities and perks like those available for other government personnel.
The additional public prosecutor said police were given regular training. Shinde informed the court that the state required about 60,000 more cops and the government planned to make the recruitment in five phases.
Murder of Pune builder
Nikhil Rane was shot and seriously wounded on November 23, 2009. The Pune builder succumbed to bullet injuries at Sancheti hospital. As investigations in the case dragged on, his wife Ashwini moved the high court seeking transfer of the probe to another agency. The matter was handed over to another agency. But during hearing of the matter, the court realized that vacancies in the police department was a serious issue and hence took suo moto cognisance of the matter.
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