Twitter
Advertisement

Has shirking complaints become a habit for cops?

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The attitude of some police in delaying or refusing to register complaints, or sending the complainants running about, appears to be continuing despite the strict orders of the Supreme Court that the cops must act promptly irrespective of where the incident has happened.

Recently, a senior police officer became a victim of this negligence, when he was turned away by LT Marg police, who he approached after he was beaten up by three unidentified men and his daughter was molested.

The police officer brought the matter to the notice of Rakesh Maria, the city police chief, who got the LT Marg police to lodge an FIR.

But what about common citizens who may not have similar access to the top cop?

Last month, a 16-year-old student committed suicide after he was accused of stealing a certificate by his school teacher. The parents, who sought to lodge a complaint of abetment of suicide, were made to run between the Mumbai Central railway police station and the Mahim police station, which is now dealing with the matter.

In the case of Esther Anuhya, the father was sent by the Kurla railway police back to Vijaywada to register a missing complaint. The city police ignored the case till the family members traced the body of the girl in Kanjurmarg some days later.

However, hardly any one is forthcoming on how to deal with such negligence.

YP Singh, former IPS officer and senior advocate, says, "As per the apex court ruling and the police manual, irrespective of the jurisdiction, the complainant can approach any police station. It is mandatory for the on-duty officer to register a zero FIR and transfer the case to the concerned police station."

Singh said that any officer found flouting these rules should not only face a departmental inquiry but is liable for criminal prosecution under section 217 of the Indian Penal Code.

Singh explained that policemen shirk their responsibility as it increases the paperwork, it affects the crime statistics and usually out of habit.


 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement