HC pulls up crime branch

Chennai, June 12: The Madras High Court on Wednesday pulled up the city crime branch police for not registering cases concerning civil disputes in time, thereby providing enough opportunities for the accused to move the court and obtain relief.
Dismissing an anticipatory bail petition filed by one S Kalaiselvi in connection with a civil dispute, Justice R Reghupathi observed that cases related to civil disputes must be registered and investigated. But the investigating officer under the guise of inquiry, receiving complaints but not registering cases.
The judge observed that the Bar had repeatedly complained about this and that panchayats were conducted at various levels in police stations to receive bribe from both the complainant and the accused.
"By experience, we could see that soon after the grant of order in favour of the accused, cases are registered to please the complainant. The matter, which are being reported before this court, is very serious in nature involving crores of rupees," the judge observed adding that such complaints wer increasing especially because of escallation of land prices an disputes regarding lands in and around Chennai.
"It is happening under the nose of Commissioner of Police (CoP) since the office of crime branch is situated in the premises of Commissionarate. Unless the CoP and the DGP take serious note of the happening, enforcement of law and order at grass-root level will be a mockery," the Judge observed and directed the CoP to look into the administration of crime branch. -Agencies
Published: Thursday, June 12, 2008
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