Officers from Mumbai police have once again been instructed by their seniors to deal with their informers cautiously.
Officers from Mumbai police have once again been instructed by their seniors to deal with their informers cautiously. The instruction is believed to have been issued in the wake of the recent Sakinaka case where five informers and three policemen were arrested for allegedly raping a 29-year-old model and extorting money from her.
The police, from past several years, have been dependent on the informer network to gather intelligence input about various crimes in the city. During the heydays of the underworld, informers had helped the police crack cases by passing on crucial information. However, according to a senior police officer, in the past few years, there are some informers who have started passing on information to the police with mala fide intentions or to 'fix up' someone. "Recently, we have seen that some of the informers have passed on information to settle scores with someone. Hence, now we do a thorough verification of the information given to us by any informer," said a senior crime branch officer.
According to the recent instruction, officers have been asked to check the track record of all their informers and make a list of those who they suspect to be involved in illegal activities. "We have also been told not to entertain informers in our offices," said an officer, adding: "One of the important instructions is that none of the informers should accompany the police team that would be raiding a particular place based on the information passed on by informers."
The Social Service Branch of enforcement department of Mumbai police, which largely operates on informer network, has maintained a diary that records details of informers and the information provided by them. "We always cross check the background of the informers and there is no need for anyone to come to office to give information. It can be provided through WhatsApp, text messages, calls or simply by writing a letter and we will act on it after verification," said Pravin Patil, deputy commissioner of police (Enforcement). "There is no specific definition of an informer. The common man too can be an informer and we encourage them to come forward and help us to do better policing," he added.
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