DNA: New Delhi: Monday, July 24, 2017.
As many as
577 personnel from Delhi Police control rooms (PCRs) have been suspended and 71
others dismissed on various charges between 2006 and May this year, an RTI
application filed by DNA has revealed. On an average, this comes to one cop
suspended every week in the last 11 years. Also, 20 PCR personnel are facing a vigilance
inquiry at present, the information provided by the Delhi Police says.
Former Delhi
Police chief Neeraj Kumar admitted that the numbers were high and could be
attributed to indiscipline, misbehaviour, extortion, and callousness in
investigation or even criminal involvement. He, however, said that the action
also showed that departments such as the PCR had zero tolerance towards any
misconduct by their personnel.
"PCR is
one important unit which is sensitive, and action against its officers in high
numbers shall also be seen in a positive way," Kumar said.
As many as 51
personnel were suspended, 14 dismissed and inquiries initiated against 19 from
the special branch, the Delhi Police's anti-terror squad, in the past ten
years, the data shows.
The Delhi
police's unit that handles the safety and security of India's President, his
family members and other VVIPs, who visit Rashtrapati Bhavan, however, refused
to disclose the number of personnel dismissed, suspended or facing inquiry due
to safety reasons.
The RTI data
also shows that 175 PCR personnel have opted for voluntary retirement in the
past decade.
The
information says that every six days, an inquiry was ordered against one police
officer from the southeast district between 2008 and now. One officer was
suspended every ten days.
In the
southeast district, since its formation on October 1, 2008, 315 police
personnel have been placed under suspension, 27 cops dismissed from service and
499 departmental inquiries initiated.
In the west
district, 214 personnel were suspended, 29 dismissed and departmental inquiries
ordered against 47 between 2007 and now.
‘IN LINE
OF FIRE’
577 PCR cops
suspended, 71 dismissed in 11 years
20 PCR cops
facing vigilance inquiry at present
51 special
branch personnel suspended, 14 dismissed and inquiries initiated against 19 in
the past 10 years
Reasons could
range from misbehaviour, extortion, poor probe and criminal involvement