Cops are delaying FIRs: HC

CHENNAI: In a severe indictment of the state police force, the Madras high court on Wednesday said the central crime branch (CCB), a high-profile wing of the department, was taking bribes from both complainants and the accused and "making a mockery of law and order enforcement" by delaying registration of cases. Rejecting an anticipatory bail plea in an economic offence case, Justice R Regupathi questioned the crime branch's inability to quickly file cases against suspects and conduct an investigation. He said whenever a cognizable offence was brought to the crime branch's knowledge; officers used it as an opportunity to wheedle bribes from both complainants as well as the accused by delaying the registration of an FIR (first information report). The delay was proving detrimental to the case, the judge said. The present case pertained to a loan of Rs 25 lakh obtained by S Kalaiselvi, who submitted her property documents as collateral security to a bank. After a complaint was lodged in the CCB here, she approached the high court for anticipatory bail. Predictably, the government advocate informed the court that the CCB was holding a "petition inquiry" on the matter. This prompted the judge to make the observations after dismissing the anticipatory bail petition. When a serious cognizable offence is brought to the notice of the police, it is their responsibility to register an FIR and not embark on "panchayats" or a "petition inquiry", Justice Regupathi said. "It has been repeatedly held by the Supreme Court and this court, that if a cognizable offence is made out at the first sight, it is the bounden duty of police officials to register a case and investigate it." "Unless the city commissioner of police and DGP take serious note of the practices of the CCB, which handles cases of grave nature, enforcement of law and order will become a mockery," Justice Regupathi observed. He hoped the authorities concerned would take note of the court's observations and rein in the crime branch units in the city and the districts. In a hard-hitting order, Justice Regupathi said such dubious practices were taking place right under the nose of the commissioner of police, in whose office premises the CCB wing is located.
12 Jun 2008, 0230 hrs IST, A Subramani,TNN
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