RTI reply reveals laxity in high-security areas

Mumbai Police department has failed in executing their own order, requiring it to be mandatory for house owners to inform the local police station before selling or renting out property, and also to submit documents of the persons occupying the property in order to keep a watch on antisocial elements. The information acquired under Right To Information (RTI) Act provides a grim picture of the situation in the Western suburbs' two important police stations near both airports failing to keep a record of tenants living in the slums.

As per Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 60 per cent of Mumbai's population lives in slums. But in a shocking reply to the RTI query, the Airport police station, which has a major slum area near the high-security zone domestic airport, claims that since January 1, 2016, only 135 houses have been given on rent from which only 21 persons have managed to submit the agreement copies and detail of the house occupants. No action has been taken against persons for not informing police about the tenants, which leads to action under section 188(Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code. Under section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code, Mumbai police have issued the order.

At Sahar police station, another one in the high-security zone of the International Airport, registered only 48 tenants in 2016 and 46 in 2017. Only one offence under section 188 has been registered by Sahar police.

"It is shocking to see that two important installations of the city with high security, surrounded by slums, have not had the police order being executed. It is an alarming situation. Antisocial elements or terrorists can get a house here without any hassle and indulge in anti-national activities," said Sagar Ugle, a social activist who acquired the information through RTI.

Moreover, six police stations — Vakola, Versova, Oshiwara, Juhu, Santacruz and Amboli, in reply to the RTI query, revealed that they do not have a record of tenants living in slums, and they only take applications. Only Santacruz and Juhu police stations registered a case against violators. Santacruz police registered four cases while Juhu registered five.

"We do not understand why Mumbai police is not taking this issue seriously or is waiting for an untoward incident to take place. The slums have been converted into den for illegal activity. And with a majority of the population being migrants, it becomes a major issue to keep a watch on their activities as they get away with crimes without being traced," said Ugle.

Santosh Gholap, a RTI activist and a Vile Parle resident, said, "Slums are growing in Mumbai and people are renting them out to migrant workers without notifying police authorities. Mumbai police itself is unaware of illegal activities conducted inside the slums. It's high time a strict rule be implemented and a law enforced to ensure safety and security in the city."

YP Singh, former IPS officer, said, "Mumbai police should stop taking temporary decisions by making registeration of tenants mandatory for two months and then renewing it again. Due to lack of police officers in the department, it is difficult to implement these measures. The government should ensure adequate staff is provided for registering the tenants in the city which is very important security measure."

Anil Kumbhare, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 8, said, "We conduct combing operations and ensure regular patrolling takes place inside the slums. We monitor every activity in the slum near both the airports."
Sanjay Saxena, Joint Commissioner of Police, (Crime), said, "We are monitoring the slums in the city and it is a very confidential subject."