Special teams to keep eye on corrupt cops……Dwaipayan Ghosh
NEW DELHI: Now, the cops will be policing the police. With an RTI reply putting Delhi Police among the most corrupt agencies in the city, top police officers have come to a conclusion that a dedicated squad is needed to keep an eye on their subordinates in the capital.
Sources said there are reports that many cops are cashing in on the construction frenzy and frantic commercial activities before the Commonwealth Games to earn some “extra bucks” in the form of bribes and kickbacks. Senior police officers said the special squad will keep a tab on cops so that they do not turn to corrupt ways.
“For example, we have launched a new tenant verification process across the city in view of the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Every third person in Delhi is a tenant. With only 72 days remaining before the Games, we fear many people may try to bribe police personnel in a bid to get verification certificate quickly without going through the required process,” said a senior police officer.
Sources said Delhi Police commissioner Y S Dadwal has asked senior officers heading the three policing ranges New Delhi, Northern and Southern to take strong action against corrupt cops. Earlier, while interacting with media persons Dadwal had said he will not tolerate corruption. “I have always set an example by promptly taking action against all corrupt officers. I reiterate that corruption in any form will not be tolerated,” said Dadwal.
Sources said corruption related to grant of licences for commercial activities and unauthorized construction could prove to be particularly troublesome. The special teams, under an assistant commissioner of police or higher rank officer, will randomly visit different police stations and areas under their jurisdiction to carry out checks.
In a rely to an RTI query, the anti-corruption bureau revealed a few days ago that out of 22 corruption cases registered against government officials till May this year, 10 were against Delhi Police officers. In 2009, 45 cases were registered against 64 police officer.