Pune forms special cells to tackle serious crimes

The superintendent of police (SP), Pune rural, Sandip Karnik, has formed special cells to tackle heinous crimes and activities of gangs. These include the anti-extortion cell, economic offences wing, narcotics cell and anti-terrorism squad.

Each cell has 10 personnel including a senior police inspector. These cells operate independently. The local crime branch too has been divided into two and one division will tackle serious crimes.

Karnik told DNA that the number of cases of extortion and land-grabbing had gone up and so the cells were formed. Giving an example, he said the mafia tried to create a monopoly in giving contracts to labourers. They forced companies in the MIDC to employ labourers through them. This led to extortion and other illegal practices, he said. The anti-extortion cell has to interact with labourers too.

Another advantage of forming cells is that it reduces burden of work and corruption that could arise if all the work was done by one police officer, according to Karnik.

“Cases of cheating and land-grabbing are increasing. To overcome these, specially trained officers are required.”

Another change Karnik has introduced concerns supervision over investigation of complaints. “Now, a report made at the police station is not limited to it. Four copies are made, which are circulated to a senior police officer, the DSP, to the cell and to me.

Multiple supervision of the documents is made to remove all loopholes in the cases,” he said.