Commission issues directives to States and UTs for better policing
The Commission has directed all the States and Union Territories to comply with a set of directions to improve the relationship between the police and the public, to build confidence between them. It considers that the observance of these directives could help both to prevent the violation of law and to assist in the detection of crimes that occur. A letter in this regard was written to the Chief Secretaries, Director Generals of Police of all States and UTs and Commissioners of Police of Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad by Shri D.R. Karthikeyan, Director General (Investigation), NHRC on 22 December 1999.
Among the major suggestions given by the Commission is the introduction of a toll free phone number for the public to convey crime intelligence/information to the police. The Commission has proposed a uniform number, 1090, already existing in Kerala, for the entire country. This number will be toll free even on the STD and will not require the caller to reveal his identity.
Another suggestion is that the investigating agencies should keep the complainant/victim informed of the progress of investigation. The FIR should be issued promptly on receipt of a complaint revealing a cognizable offence. All FIRs should be acknowledged and if the complaint does not reveal a cognizable offence warranting registration of a FIR, the complainant should be informed of the reasons thereof.
Further, if any investigation is not completed within 3 months, the complainant should be intimated of the reason in writing. Similar intimation should be given again if the case is not completed within six months of registration. If the investigation goes on for more than one year, a more detailed intimation endorsed by a senior gazetted police officer should be given to the complainant after the officer has verified and satisfied himself of the genuineness of the cause for such delay.
On completion of investigation, when the charge sheet is filed before the court, a similar intimation with a copy of the charge sheet should be sent to the complainant.
The Station House Officers should hold regular meetings in their jurisdictions, twice a month, to meet the public and hear their grievances. This will also enable the police to sensitise the public on various issues and seek their cooperation in prevention of crime and maintenance of law and order.
These steps are already in force in the State of Kerala. The experience of Kerala is that most of the calls on toll free numbers are genuine and have resulted in detection of a number of pending cases and in prevention of offences.
The bulk of complaints received by the Commission concern police personnel. Most of these complaints allege violations of human rights as a result of acts of omission or commission on part of the police during the process of investigation. Many of the allegations pertain to non-registration of complaints, delayed investigations, investigations not being done fairly, objectively and impartially, and to the inaccessibility of police officers. The Commission is of the view that to be effective and successful, the police must enjoy the trust, confidence and respect of the people living in their jurisdiction
Among the major suggestions given by the Commission is the introduction of a toll free phone number for the public to convey crime intelligence/information to the police. The Commission has proposed a uniform number, 1090, already existing in Kerala, for the entire country. This number will be toll free even on the STD and will not require the caller to reveal his identity.
Another suggestion is that the investigating agencies should keep the complainant/victim informed of the progress of investigation. The FIR should be issued promptly on receipt of a complaint revealing a cognizable offence. All FIRs should be acknowledged and if the complaint does not reveal a cognizable offence warranting registration of a FIR, the complainant should be informed of the reasons thereof.
Further, if any investigation is not completed within 3 months, the complainant should be intimated of the reason in writing. Similar intimation should be given again if the case is not completed within six months of registration. If the investigation goes on for more than one year, a more detailed intimation endorsed by a senior gazetted police officer should be given to the complainant after the officer has verified and satisfied himself of the genuineness of the cause for such delay.
On completion of investigation, when the charge sheet is filed before the court, a similar intimation with a copy of the charge sheet should be sent to the complainant.
The Station House Officers should hold regular meetings in their jurisdictions, twice a month, to meet the public and hear their grievances. This will also enable the police to sensitise the public on various issues and seek their cooperation in prevention of crime and maintenance of law and order.
These steps are already in force in the State of Kerala. The experience of Kerala is that most of the calls on toll free numbers are genuine and have resulted in detection of a number of pending cases and in prevention of offences.
The bulk of complaints received by the Commission concern police personnel. Most of these complaints allege violations of human rights as a result of acts of omission or commission on part of the police during the process of investigation. Many of the allegations pertain to non-registration of complaints, delayed investigations, investigations not being done fairly, objectively and impartially, and to the inaccessibility of police officers. The Commission is of the view that to be effective and successful, the police must enjoy the trust, confidence and respect of the people living in their jurisdiction