Police uncooperative? Call Lok Ayukta

Police uncooperative? Call Lok Ayukta

The Times of India

Bangalore: Lok Ayukta Justice N. Venkatachala and Lok Ayukta director M.D. Singh on Friday instructed ADGP (Crime) M.K. Srivastava to set
up a permanent seat in every district, and the police commissionerate, to accept complaints whenever they are not accepted at the police station level.

The action comes after The Times of India team went to police stations in Bangalore to file a complaint of pickpocketing, and returned, rejected.

Venkatachala and Singh suggested that the superintendent of police, if necessary, hand over powers to a subordinate officer to accept all the complaints that are otherwise refused by the police stations. In case senior officers are not cooperative, the complainant could approach the Lok Ayukta on telephone 22257638.

“A separate register for all these complaints must be maintained so that action can be taken against the officer who initially refused to file the complaint. The heads of departments must come down heavily on such persons,’’ he said.

Venkatachala and Singh suggested that Srivastava send out a circular to all police stations across the state to compulsorily register complaints, with a w a r n i n g that action would be taken against officers not complying with their duties and could be“liable for dismissal’’.