NEW DELHI: After finding that cops have been easily getting away for their faults with just a warning or a censure, Delhi Police has asked senior officers to properly scrutinise the nature of punishments.
It was observed that punishments awarded to police officers for inadequacies in probing cases and non-appearance in court in bail matters were lenient. “All disciplinary and appellate officers must ensure that disciplinary action is commensurate with the misconduct. Non-appearance in court can have different results, like the accused being released on bail,” police said.
“Punishment must be commensurate with the negligence or misconduct of the investigating officer and SHO where laxity or poor investigation leads to the acquittal of the accused. If a case is failed as a result of policemen turning hostile, then it should be mentioned in the show-cause notice and appropriate action taken for the misconduct. The officer conducting an investigation must keep the statutory limitations in the finalisation of the case,” stated police.
It was also found that a defaulter policeman was transferred to another unit by the disciplinary authority concerned when there was a need to initiate departmental action. “If any departmental proceedings are going on, then the policeman should remain in the same district. For transfer, a proposal should be sent to PHQ and a final decision taken by the establishment board,” said police.
