मुम्बई। महाराष्ट्र पुलिस ने सोमवार को कहा कि वरिष्ठ पत्रकार ज्योतिर्मय डे की हत्या करने वाले अंडरवर्ल्ड के उन सातों लोगों को उन्हें गोली मारने के वक्त यह पता नहीं था कि डे कौन हैं। मुम्बई पुलिस के संयुक्त आयुक्त हिमांशु राय ने 11 जून को डे पर पांच गोलियां दागने वाले व्यक्ति की पहचान पेशेवर हत्यारे सतीश कालिया के रूप में की, जिसने अंडरवर्ल्ड के डॉन छोटा राजन के हुक्म पर इस वारदात को अंजाम दिया था।
ज्ञात हो कि डे एक प्रतिष्ठित पत्रकार थे जो समाचारपत्र 'मिड डे' के लिए कार्य करते थे और खासतौर से माफियाओं की गतिविधियों पर लिखा करते थे। उनकी दिनदहाड़े हत्या के खिलाफ व्यापक प्रदर्शनों से मुम्बई पुलिस भारी दबाव में है। राय ने गिरफ्तार लोगों के बयान का हवाला देते हुए कहा कि जैसा कि पुलिस को बताया गया वे सातों लोग यह नहीं जानते थे कि मरने वाला कौन है और उन्हें क्यों मरवाया गया। यह जानने के बाद उन्हें दुख हुआ कि जिन्हें उन्होंने मारा वह एक श्रेष्ठ पत्रकार थे। राय ने कहा कि गिरोह के सदस्य पुलिस से बचने के लिए तितर-बितर हो गए और तुरंत देश के विभिन्न हिस्सों में जा छिपे। राय के मुताबिक यह गिरोह 'अत्यंत पेशेवराना तरीके' से कार्य करता था। गिरोह ने बताए गए हुलिए के आधार पर डे की तलाश की तथा मोटरसाइकिल की पंजीकरण संख्या के आधार पर पत्रकार का पीछा किया।
छह हत्यारों में से तीन मोरसाइकिल पर सवार थे, जबकि सातवां सदस्य बैकअप वैन में था। राय ने एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा कि कालिया (34) ने चेकोस्वोवाकिया में निर्मित रिवाल्वर का इस्तेमाल किया था जिसमें 25 कारतूस भरे थे। यह रिवाल्वर उन्हें डे की हत्या करने के लिए मुहैया कराई गई थी। बताया गया कि 11 जून को कालिया ने डे पर जो पांच गोलियां दागी थीं उनमें से एक उनके सीने में लगी थी। इस सिलसिले में पहली गिरफ्तारी तमिलनाडु के धार्मिक शहर रामेश्वरम में की गई। वहां इस गिरोह के तीन सदस्य पकड़े गए। बाद में अन्य को मुम्बई सहित अन्य स्थानों से गिरफ्तार किया गया। पुलिस ने बताया कि गिरोह से हत्या में प्रयुक्त हथियार और 10 मोबाइल फोन बरामद किए गए।
Monday, June 27, 2011
Mumbai Police : Dey murder: Cops say it was contract killing
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Crime Branch claimed to have made a major breakthrough in the J Dey murder case late on Sunday night. Seven people were picked up from Mumbai, Solapur and Mangalore. It was a contract killing, said police officials, but refused to elaborate on the motive. The cops said they were on the verge of solving the case. The seven suspects will be produced in the Esplanade court on Monday. Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik, who is likely to address a press conference on the issue on Monday, was tightlipped on Sunday.
Jyotirmoy Dey's murder whodunit continues to fox the police, and the underworld. Two weeks after the senior crime reporter with a Mumbai tabloid was gunned down by bike-borne assailants in Powai, the chhota dons of the city are fuming at their names being dragged into the case.
" B******! Yeh kaam mera nahi hai. Agar maine kiya hota to mujhe credit lene me kisika dar nahi hai. Itne cases hain, ek aur sahi. Main un logo ko barabar karunga (This is not my job. If I had done it I would have taken credit for it. One more case against me will not make any difference. I will take care of the killers)," fugitive gangster Chhota Shakeel told TOI after his name figured in the police list of suspects.
With the police still unsure about the killers, the gangsters' professional curiosity has been pricked and they have activated their networks to track down Dey's killers. "Do din pehle, police meri madad maang rahi thi, lekin main hairan ho gaya jab mera naam isme ghasita gaya. Main khud pata laga raha hoon ye kaam kisne kiya hai (Two days ago, police had sought my help but I am surprised to see my name being dragged into it. I am trying to find out who has done it)," said Shakeel.
Shakeel's rival Chhota Rajan and lesser-known gangsters Vijay Shetty and Santosh Shetty, who are in hiding abroad, too have started a parallel probe to trace the killers. Obviously, the police heat and the media glare are getting their goat.
"Dey reported on the underworld and spoke to some of the gangsters for information. Our informers said he did not misuse it, '' said a senior police official. Dey wrote extensively on Shakeel and of late, has been writing on Chhota Rajan, another officer said.
Chhota Rajan, with whom Dey often spoke, has also denied his role and told some police officers that he would assist them in finding the killers. "This development took place after the police suspected that Rajan aide Umaid-ur-Rehman was involved in the killing when a news report on his family was wrongly attributed to Dey,'' a police officer said.
Vijay Shetty and Santosh Shetty, who were earlier with Rajan and are believed to be hiding in Switzerland, too joined the chorus. Santosh Shetty had last year killed dreaded gangster Bharat Nepali and recently made an attempt to kill Fahim Shah, a cable operator in Nepal. Shetty, who is media-savvy, told TOI, "Dey was a very good reporter and I have spoken to him on a few occasions. He was sincere in his work and craved for exclusive stories. Some officers sent me a message asking me whether I had anything to do with Dey's killing. I have told them that I myself was making inquiries from my sources to find the main conspirator,'' said Santosh Shetty.
A senior IPS officer who was close to Dey, said the slain scribe had written extensively on several subjects ranging from bookies, gambling and environment issues to oil mafias and the underworld. "The gangsters must have read it,'' he said.
Police sources have ruled out the role of gangsters Hemant Pujari and Ravi Pujari because both of them are known to enjoy claiming responsibility for killings they have undertaken.
Jyotirmoy Dey's murder whodunit continues to fox the police, and the underworld. Two weeks after the senior crime reporter with a Mumbai tabloid was gunned down by bike-borne assailants in Powai, the chhota dons of the city are fuming at their names being dragged into the case.
" B******! Yeh kaam mera nahi hai. Agar maine kiya hota to mujhe credit lene me kisika dar nahi hai. Itne cases hain, ek aur sahi. Main un logo ko barabar karunga (This is not my job. If I had done it I would have taken credit for it. One more case against me will not make any difference. I will take care of the killers)," fugitive gangster Chhota Shakeel told TOI after his name figured in the police list of suspects.
With the police still unsure about the killers, the gangsters' professional curiosity has been pricked and they have activated their networks to track down Dey's killers. "Do din pehle, police meri madad maang rahi thi, lekin main hairan ho gaya jab mera naam isme ghasita gaya. Main khud pata laga raha hoon ye kaam kisne kiya hai (Two days ago, police had sought my help but I am surprised to see my name being dragged into it. I am trying to find out who has done it)," said Shakeel.
Shakeel's rival Chhota Rajan and lesser-known gangsters Vijay Shetty and Santosh Shetty, who are in hiding abroad, too have started a parallel probe to trace the killers. Obviously, the police heat and the media glare are getting their goat.
"Dey reported on the underworld and spoke to some of the gangsters for information. Our informers said he did not misuse it, '' said a senior police official. Dey wrote extensively on Shakeel and of late, has been writing on Chhota Rajan, another officer said.
Chhota Rajan, with whom Dey often spoke, has also denied his role and told some police officers that he would assist them in finding the killers. "This development took place after the police suspected that Rajan aide Umaid-ur-Rehman was involved in the killing when a news report on his family was wrongly attributed to Dey,'' a police officer said.
Vijay Shetty and Santosh Shetty, who were earlier with Rajan and are believed to be hiding in Switzerland, too joined the chorus. Santosh Shetty had last year killed dreaded gangster Bharat Nepali and recently made an attempt to kill Fahim Shah, a cable operator in Nepal. Shetty, who is media-savvy, told TOI, "Dey was a very good reporter and I have spoken to him on a few occasions. He was sincere in his work and craved for exclusive stories. Some officers sent me a message asking me whether I had anything to do with Dey's killing. I have told them that I myself was making inquiries from my sources to find the main conspirator,'' said Santosh Shetty.
A senior IPS officer who was close to Dey, said the slain scribe had written extensively on several subjects ranging from bookies, gambling and environment issues to oil mafias and the underworld. "The gangsters must have read it,'' he said.
Police sources have ruled out the role of gangsters Hemant Pujari and Ravi Pujari because both of them are known to enjoy claiming responsibility for killings they have undertaken.
maharastra police: Inspector of Mumbai anti-narcotics cell among five held in rave raid
MUMBAI: Five persons, including an inspector of Mumbai's anti-narcotics cell, were on Monday arrested in connection with the raid on a rave party held in Raigad district.
"Five persons, including inspector Anil Jadhav of Mumbai's anti-narcotics cell, were arrested in connection with the rave party where drugs were provided to the youths for consumption," Raigad district Superintendent of Police RD Shinde said.
Besides Jadhav, the other four accused arrested were identified as Jadhav's aide Sunil Ghule, the party organizers Snehjit Sajalkar, Kushankumar Sujankumar, hotel manager Rahul Khanna while one more person Vickey Shah is still absconding, Shinde said.
Around 290 youths including 59 girls from well-off families had attended the party held at Khalapur in Raigad district on Sunday night.
"All the youths were let off after medical examination," said Raigad deputy SP Namrata Patil.
"After receiving the medical reports, we will initiate appropriate action against the consumers (of drugs)," she added.
When asked about the exact role of the inspector of the anti-narcotics cell in the party, Patil said, "Jadhav was found in a room where the drugs were kept."
Police had raided the rave party organized in hotel Mount View at Khalapur, off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, on Sunday night and seized contrabands like ganja, charas, cocaine besides articles used for consuming drugs and Rs 3.08 lakh in cash.
The accused were booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, police said.
"Five persons, including inspector Anil Jadhav of Mumbai's anti-narcotics cell, were arrested in connection with the rave party where drugs were provided to the youths for consumption," Raigad district Superintendent of Police RD Shinde said.
Besides Jadhav, the other four accused arrested were identified as Jadhav's aide Sunil Ghule, the party organizers Snehjit Sajalkar, Kushankumar Sujankumar, hotel manager Rahul Khanna while one more person Vickey Shah is still absconding, Shinde said.
Around 290 youths including 59 girls from well-off families had attended the party held at Khalapur in Raigad district on Sunday night.
"All the youths were let off after medical examination," said Raigad deputy SP Namrata Patil.
"After receiving the medical reports, we will initiate appropriate action against the consumers (of drugs)," she added.
When asked about the exact role of the inspector of the anti-narcotics cell in the party, Patil said, "Jadhav was found in a room where the drugs were kept."
Police had raided the rave party organized in hotel Mount View at Khalapur, off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, on Sunday night and seized contrabands like ganja, charas, cocaine besides articles used for consuming drugs and Rs 3.08 lakh in cash.
The accused were booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, police said.
Police (NCRB) : National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) new Data
The statistic, by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), puts the state police fifth on a list headed by Madhya Pradesh (93,710 complaints), followed by Uttar Pradesh (34,364), Delhi (29,165) and Punjab (23,090).
For a proper appreciation of the data, knowledge of the police strength of the states and the police-population ratio there is necessary. Strength: Madhya Pradesh, 77,617; Uttar Pradesh, 1,70,000; Delhi, 57,500; Punjab, 30,000; Maharashtra, 1,80,000. Police persons per 10,000 people : MP, 12.16; UP, 10.68; Delhi, 42.4; Punjab, 30.76; Maharashtra, 17.93.
If data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on complaints against policemen is considered along with the police strength of the states, the comparison shows that the cases against the Maharashtra police are proportionately less than their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab—the top four states on the NCRB list. But still, the company Maharashtra is keeping with these top four is unenviable : MP and UP, among a quartet of underdeveloped states that includes Bihar and Rajasthan, are where the police have historically had a low image; the same is with Delhi and Punjab.
So what has propelled Maharashtra into this league?
"Wrong exercise of power ," said former director general of police S S Puri. "This is the main problem that is causing criminal cases against the state's policepersons to rise."
Another reason is collusion of senior officers with their juniors, said former IPS officer and advocate Y P Singh. "Because of this, no action is taken against errant cops. Inaction emboldens those down the ranks, which has a cascading effect. There is a dire need to implement police reforms (changing the functional structure of the force)."
One more reason is that people in the state are better informed and aware of their rights, said joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy. This leads to victims of police persecution to come forward and register complaints, he said. "The picture will be clearer if a ratio of the absolute number of cases registered against the state's policemen per 1,000 people is taken into account. I must add, however, that the police department takes stern action against its members who are found guilty of abuse of authority."
Among the most glaring examples of abuse of authority is the case of senior inspector Arun Borude. Months after sleazy details of how he repeatedly raped a 15-year-old Powai girl started appearing, he allegedly committed suicide in December last year.
Most recently, the name of an officer of assistant commissioner rank cropped up in the J Dey murder case. The officer, Anil Mahabole, has had charges levelled against him in the past as well. He was suspended in 2007 for alleged underworld links.
In April this year, Malwani police sub-inspector Munir Shaikh was arrested for allegedly compelling a domestic help, Kunda Shinde, to commit suicide. This was his second arrest.
"The police are supposed to provide security to the people and ensure their welfare. Here, it is not the case," said Shakil Ahmed, member of the NGO Nirbhay Bano Andolan. "The police in the state are misusing their powers to the detriment of the public."
A senior police officer said most of the complaints pertain to accepting bribes to either pursue a case or sometimes alter the course of investigation in cases. "Police officers often make victims of crime run from pillar to post till they agree to pay a bribe. This is absolutely shameful."
Former Thane police commissioner SPS Yadav suggested deterrents like putting in place a special agency to deal with complaints against police. "These complaints should be immediately looked into. If they are justified, stern action should be taken against the offenders. This will set an example and discourage policepersons from abusing power and indulging in illegal activities."
There are voices in defence of the state police as well. Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh said: "Complaints are registered against policepersons in the state for various reasons . The force in Maharashtra is one of the largest in the country. The number of complaints should be seen in terms of a comparison of a state's population with its police strength."
A senior police officer from the central suburbs said: "It is not that rogue cops are allowed to do as they please. A departmental inquiry is carried out against a policeperson if he faces charges. This process is clearly visible if one considers the cases of senior inspector Pradeep Sharma and inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi, who are in custody for allegedly conducting fake encounters.
"Sharma was initially hailed as a hero for his prowess as an encounter specialist . His count was over 100. But still he was arrested over the 2006 encounter of gangster Ram Narayan (alias Lakhan Bhaiya)."
He said that though Maharashtra ranks high on the NCRB list, there is a big difference with other states.
"Arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and torture are rampant across India. Maharashtra is no exception. But here, there are fewer instances of the force as a whole covering up for its guilty members."
For a proper appreciation of the data, knowledge of the police strength of the states and the police-population ratio there is necessary. Strength: Madhya Pradesh, 77,617; Uttar Pradesh, 1,70,000; Delhi, 57,500; Punjab, 30,000; Maharashtra, 1,80,000. Police persons per 10,000 people : MP, 12.16; UP, 10.68; Delhi, 42.4; Punjab, 30.76; Maharashtra, 17.93.
If data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on complaints against policemen is considered along with the police strength of the states, the comparison shows that the cases against the Maharashtra police are proportionately less than their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab—the top four states on the NCRB list. But still, the company Maharashtra is keeping with these top four is unenviable : MP and UP, among a quartet of underdeveloped states that includes Bihar and Rajasthan, are where the police have historically had a low image; the same is with Delhi and Punjab.
So what has propelled Maharashtra into this league?
"Wrong exercise of power ," said former director general of police S S Puri. "This is the main problem that is causing criminal cases against the state's policepersons to rise."
Another reason is collusion of senior officers with their juniors, said former IPS officer and advocate Y P Singh. "Because of this, no action is taken against errant cops. Inaction emboldens those down the ranks, which has a cascading effect. There is a dire need to implement police reforms (changing the functional structure of the force)."
One more reason is that people in the state are better informed and aware of their rights, said joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy. This leads to victims of police persecution to come forward and register complaints, he said. "The picture will be clearer if a ratio of the absolute number of cases registered against the state's policemen per 1,000 people is taken into account. I must add, however, that the police department takes stern action against its members who are found guilty of abuse of authority."
Among the most glaring examples of abuse of authority is the case of senior inspector Arun Borude. Months after sleazy details of how he repeatedly raped a 15-year-old Powai girl started appearing, he allegedly committed suicide in December last year.
Most recently, the name of an officer of assistant commissioner rank cropped up in the J Dey murder case. The officer, Anil Mahabole, has had charges levelled against him in the past as well. He was suspended in 2007 for alleged underworld links.
In April this year, Malwani police sub-inspector Munir Shaikh was arrested for allegedly compelling a domestic help, Kunda Shinde, to commit suicide. This was his second arrest.
"The police are supposed to provide security to the people and ensure their welfare. Here, it is not the case," said Shakil Ahmed, member of the NGO Nirbhay Bano Andolan. "The police in the state are misusing their powers to the detriment of the public."
A senior police officer said most of the complaints pertain to accepting bribes to either pursue a case or sometimes alter the course of investigation in cases. "Police officers often make victims of crime run from pillar to post till they agree to pay a bribe. This is absolutely shameful."
Former Thane police commissioner SPS Yadav suggested deterrents like putting in place a special agency to deal with complaints against police. "These complaints should be immediately looked into. If they are justified, stern action should be taken against the offenders. This will set an example and discourage policepersons from abusing power and indulging in illegal activities."
There are voices in defence of the state police as well. Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh said: "Complaints are registered against policepersons in the state for various reasons . The force in Maharashtra is one of the largest in the country. The number of complaints should be seen in terms of a comparison of a state's population with its police strength."
A senior police officer from the central suburbs said: "It is not that rogue cops are allowed to do as they please. A departmental inquiry is carried out against a policeperson if he faces charges. This process is clearly visible if one considers the cases of senior inspector Pradeep Sharma and inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi, who are in custody for allegedly conducting fake encounters.
"Sharma was initially hailed as a hero for his prowess as an encounter specialist . His count was over 100. But still he was arrested over the 2006 encounter of gangster Ram Narayan (alias Lakhan Bhaiya)."
He said that though Maharashtra ranks high on the NCRB list, there is a big difference with other states.
"Arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and torture are rampant across India. Maharashtra is no exception. But here, there are fewer instances of the force as a whole covering up for its guilty members."
maharastra police: Maharashtra cops among most corrupt
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra police once enjoyed a reputation that befit the state's status as the country's most developed. But in recent years, its image has taken a severe beating. Rape, extortion, underworld links, disproportionate assets, custodial death, fake encounter, shoddy investigation of cases leading to frameups ...the list of charges is as long as the list of policemen whose wrongdoings have been exposed in the media with almost metronomic regularity.
From 2006 to 2010, over 21,000 cases were registered against state policepersons, including ones of illegal detention and custodial death. The statistic, by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), puts the state police fifth on a list headed by Madhya Pradesh (93,710 complaints), followed by Uttar Pradesh (34,364), Delhi (29,165) and Punjab (23,090).
For a proper appreciation of the data, knowledge of the police strength of the states and the police-population ratio there is necessary. Strength: Madhya Pradesh, 77,617; Uttar Pradesh, 1,70,000; Delhi, 57,500; Punjab, 30,000; Maharashtra, 1,80,000. Police persons per 10,000 people : MP, 12.16; UP, 10.68; Delhi, 42.4; Punjab, 30.76; Maharashtra, 17.93.
If data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on complaints against policemen is considered along with the police strength of the states, the comparison shows that the cases against the Maharashtra police are proportionately less than their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab—the top four states on the NCRB list. But still, the company Maharashtra is keeping with these top four is unenviable : MP and UP, among a quartet of underdeveloped states that includes Bihar and Rajasthan, are where the police have historically had a low image; the same is with Delhi and Punjab.
So what has propelled Maharashtra into this league?
"Wrong exercise of power ," said former director general of police S S Puri. "This is the main problem that is causing criminal cases against the state's policepersons to rise."
Another reason is collusion of senior officers with their juniors, said former IPS officer and advocate Y P Singh. "Because of this, no action is taken against errant cops. Inaction emboldens those down the ranks, which has a cascading effect. There is a dire need to implement police reforms (changing the functional structure of the force)."
One more reason is that people in the state are better informed and aware of their rights, said joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy. This leads to victims of police persecution to come forward and register complaints, he said. "The picture will be clearer if a ratio of the absolute number of cases registered against the state's policemen per 1,000 people is taken into account. I must add, however, that the police department takes stern action against its members who are found guilty of abuse of authority."
Among the most glaring examples of abuse of authority is the case of senior inspector Arun Borude. Months after sleazy details of how he repeatedly raped a 15-year-old Powai girl started appearing, he allegedly committed suicide in December last year.
Most recently, the name of an officer of assistant commissioner rank cropped up in the J Dey murder case. The officer, Anil Mahabole, has had charges levelled against him in the past as well. He was suspended in 2007 for alleged underworld links.
In April this year, Malwani police sub-inspector Munir Shaikh was arrested for allegedly compelling a domestic help, Kunda Shinde, to commit suicide. This was his second arrest.
"The police are supposed to provide security to the people and ensure their welfare. Here, it is not the case," said Shakil Ahmed, member of the NGO Nirbhay Bano Andolan. "The police in the state are misusing their powers to the detriment of the public."
A senior police officer said most of the complaints pertain to accepting bribes to either pursue a case or sometimes alter the course of investigation in cases. "Police officers often make victims of crime run from pillar to post till they agree to pay a bribe. This is absolutely shameful."
Former Thane police commissioner SPS Yadav suggested deterrents like putting in place a special agency to deal with complaints against police. "These complaints should be immediately looked into. If they are justified, stern action should be taken against the offenders. This will set an example and discourage policepersons from abusing power and indulging in illegal activities."
There are voices in defence of the state police as well. Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh said: "Complaints are registered against policepersons in the state for various reasons . The force in Maharashtra is one of the largest in the country. The number of complaints should be seen in terms of a comparison of a state's population with its police strength."
A senior police officer from the central suburbs said: "It is not that rogue cops are allowed to do as they please. A departmental inquiry is carried out against a policeperson if he faces charges. This process is clearly visible if one considers the cases of senior inspector Pradeep Sharma and inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi, who are in custody for allegedly conducting fake encounters.
"Sharma was initially hailed as a hero for his prowess as an encounter specialist . His count was over 100. But still he was arrested over the 2006 encounter of gangster Ram Narayan (alias Lakhan Bhaiya)."
He said that though Maharashtra ranks high on the NCRB list, there is a big difference with other states.
"Arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and torture are rampant across India. Maharashtra is no exception. But here, there are fewer instances of the force as a whole covering up for its guilty members."
From 2006 to 2010, over 21,000 cases were registered against state policepersons, including ones of illegal detention and custodial death. The statistic, by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), puts the state police fifth on a list headed by Madhya Pradesh (93,710 complaints), followed by Uttar Pradesh (34,364), Delhi (29,165) and Punjab (23,090).
For a proper appreciation of the data, knowledge of the police strength of the states and the police-population ratio there is necessary. Strength: Madhya Pradesh, 77,617; Uttar Pradesh, 1,70,000; Delhi, 57,500; Punjab, 30,000; Maharashtra, 1,80,000. Police persons per 10,000 people : MP, 12.16; UP, 10.68; Delhi, 42.4; Punjab, 30.76; Maharashtra, 17.93.
If data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on complaints against policemen is considered along with the police strength of the states, the comparison shows that the cases against the Maharashtra police are proportionately less than their counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab—the top four states on the NCRB list. But still, the company Maharashtra is keeping with these top four is unenviable : MP and UP, among a quartet of underdeveloped states that includes Bihar and Rajasthan, are where the police have historically had a low image; the same is with Delhi and Punjab.
So what has propelled Maharashtra into this league?
"Wrong exercise of power ," said former director general of police S S Puri. "This is the main problem that is causing criminal cases against the state's policepersons to rise."
Another reason is collusion of senior officers with their juniors, said former IPS officer and advocate Y P Singh. "Because of this, no action is taken against errant cops. Inaction emboldens those down the ranks, which has a cascading effect. There is a dire need to implement police reforms (changing the functional structure of the force)."
One more reason is that people in the state are better informed and aware of their rights, said joint commissioner of police (crime) Himanshu Roy. This leads to victims of police persecution to come forward and register complaints, he said. "The picture will be clearer if a ratio of the absolute number of cases registered against the state's policemen per 1,000 people is taken into account. I must add, however, that the police department takes stern action against its members who are found guilty of abuse of authority."
Among the most glaring examples of abuse of authority is the case of senior inspector Arun Borude. Months after sleazy details of how he repeatedly raped a 15-year-old Powai girl started appearing, he allegedly committed suicide in December last year.
Most recently, the name of an officer of assistant commissioner rank cropped up in the J Dey murder case. The officer, Anil Mahabole, has had charges levelled against him in the past as well. He was suspended in 2007 for alleged underworld links.
In April this year, Malwani police sub-inspector Munir Shaikh was arrested for allegedly compelling a domestic help, Kunda Shinde, to commit suicide. This was his second arrest.
"The police are supposed to provide security to the people and ensure their welfare. Here, it is not the case," said Shakil Ahmed, member of the NGO Nirbhay Bano Andolan. "The police in the state are misusing their powers to the detriment of the public."
A senior police officer said most of the complaints pertain to accepting bribes to either pursue a case or sometimes alter the course of investigation in cases. "Police officers often make victims of crime run from pillar to post till they agree to pay a bribe. This is absolutely shameful."
Former Thane police commissioner SPS Yadav suggested deterrents like putting in place a special agency to deal with complaints against police. "These complaints should be immediately looked into. If they are justified, stern action should be taken against the offenders. This will set an example and discourage policepersons from abusing power and indulging in illegal activities."
There are voices in defence of the state police as well. Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh said: "Complaints are registered against policepersons in the state for various reasons . The force in Maharashtra is one of the largest in the country. The number of complaints should be seen in terms of a comparison of a state's population with its police strength."
A senior police officer from the central suburbs said: "It is not that rogue cops are allowed to do as they please. A departmental inquiry is carried out against a policeperson if he faces charges. This process is clearly visible if one considers the cases of senior inspector Pradeep Sharma and inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi, who are in custody for allegedly conducting fake encounters.
"Sharma was initially hailed as a hero for his prowess as an encounter specialist . His count was over 100. But still he was arrested over the 2006 encounter of gangster Ram Narayan (alias Lakhan Bhaiya)."
He said that though Maharashtra ranks high on the NCRB list, there is a big difference with other states.
"Arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and torture are rampant across India. Maharashtra is no exception. But here, there are fewer instances of the force as a whole covering up for its guilty members."
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Punjab Police: Police Uniform: कांस्टेबल की वर्दी पर चढ़ेगा अमेरिकी रंग
जालंधर। पंजाब पुलिस में तैनात कांस्टेबल दर्जे के मुलाजिम अब यूएसए पुलिस की तरह नजर आएंगे। खाकी वर्दी से उनका नाता टूट रहा है और वे विदेशी पुलिस की तरह सफेद वर्दी, नीली बैल्ट, इलेक्ट्रानिक डंडा, इंपोर्टेड गॉगल्स और कैप पहना करेंगे। यह घोषणा शनिवार को डीजीपी पंजाब पीएस गिल ने प्रेस वार्ता के दौरान की। वह शनिवार को शहर में कमिश्नरेट सिस्टम के अंतर्गत आते 14 थानों की नई इमारतों का उद्घाटन करने पहुंचे थे।
डीजीपी ने कहा कि वह पंजाब पुलिस की वर्दी और काम करने के तरीके को अमेरिकन पुलिस की तरह बनाना चाहते हैं। फिलहाल कांस्टेबल दर्जे की लुक चेंज की जा रही है। उसके बाद एएसआई व एसआई की भी लुक बदलेगी। लुक चेंज करने की शुरुआत कमिश्नरेट सिस्टम जालंधर, लुधियाना और अमृतसर में जुलाई माह से हो जाएगी। इससे पहले ट्रैफिक और हाईवे के मुलाजिमों की वर्दी बदली जा चुकी है।
डीजीपी ने कहा कि वह पंजाब पुलिस की वर्दी और काम करने के तरीके को अमेरिकन पुलिस की तरह बनाना चाहते हैं। फिलहाल कांस्टेबल दर्जे की लुक चेंज की जा रही है। उसके बाद एएसआई व एसआई की भी लुक बदलेगी। लुक चेंज करने की शुरुआत कमिश्नरेट सिस्टम जालंधर, लुधियाना और अमृतसर में जुलाई माह से हो जाएगी। इससे पहले ट्रैफिक और हाईवे के मुलाजिमों की वर्दी बदली जा चुकी है।
Punjab Police: Police Health: पुलिस को बीमारी से बचाएगी ये किताब
पंजाब पुलिस के मुलाजिमों को काम में तनाव के दौरान होने वाली बीमारियों से बचने के लिए एक बुकलेट तैयार करवाई गई है। पीएपी के आईजी आरपी मीणा ने शनिवार को किताब डीजीपी से रिलीज करवाई।
आईजी कमांडो मीणा ने गत वर्ष पांच कमांडो बटालियन के 3761 मुलाजिमों का मेडिकल करवाया था। पंजाब भर में तैनात इन मुलाजिमों में से 1293 को 13 अलग-अलग बीमारियां पाई गई। ऐसे में इन बीमारियों के कारण, लक्षण, इलाज, बचाव और परहेज के लिए 2000 पुस्तकें छपवाई गई हैं। इस किताब को पंजाब भर के मुलाजिमों में बांटा जाएगा।
आईजी कमांडो मीणा ने गत वर्ष पांच कमांडो बटालियन के 3761 मुलाजिमों का मेडिकल करवाया था। पंजाब भर में तैनात इन मुलाजिमों में से 1293 को 13 अलग-अलग बीमारियां पाई गई। ऐसे में इन बीमारियों के कारण, लक्षण, इलाज, बचाव और परहेज के लिए 2000 पुस्तकें छपवाई गई हैं। इस किताब को पंजाब भर के मुलाजिमों में बांटा जाएगा।
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