Murder inside Delhi police station: Who watches the watchmen?
It was most disgusting and appalling to read about the gruesome murder of a 34-year-old inside the Ambedkar Nagar Police Station in the heart of the national capital on August 22. How can a murder take place inside a police station?
A citadel of safety and security, full of uniformed personnel, witnessing a murder raises many pertinent questions. And the Delhi Police have to answer that or else a police station will lose its sanctity as a safe haven for grievance seekers or the general public seeking shelter from perpetrators of crime.
The deceased, Anil, who was a driver by profession, entered into an altercation with his neighbour Vishal (22) a peon. Following a complaint to the police control room (PCR), the two were brought to the police station for investigation. The police, in an alleged error of judgment, put them both - the complainant Anil and the accused - in one room despite vehement protests by the deceased's family members. Undeterred by the presence of police, relatives and friends of Vishal arrived at the police station and started threatening the deceased's wife, who was already terrified with the turn of events.
Another lapse besides putting them together in one room, the sentry, Ashok, who was supposed to stand guard left the room unguarded for a brief while leaving the two individuals to themselves to square up. Nothing could be more bizarre than this. No anticipation, no apprehension and no fear of any accountability on part of the police. By the time the sentry returned, it was too late. A file poker (used to punch files) that was lying on the table was conveniently used by Vishal to stab Anil, puncturing wounds on his neck, chest, abdomen and back.
Anil was rushed to the AIIMS trauma centre but precious time was lost and he was declared "brought dead". A young life snuffed out so cheaply and that too inside a police station at the heart of the national capital. It's a shame that the police failed to resolve the matter, and instead ended up witnessing a murder inside the police station. A case of murder has been registered and investigation is in progress. Those who erred are being taken to task. But Anil can't be brought back to life.
This case throws up many challenges exposing police incapabilities and possibly lack of training to deal with such exigencies. The police bigwigs have been crying hoarse for long about delay in implementation of police reforms, saying that is indeed the crux of every problem. It gives one the impression that if reforms are in place, it would take care of all that ails the force. But that sounds thoroughly utopian. Unless the basic problems are addressed, the police will remain colonial and primitive in its approach and refuse to grow despite all these write-ups, seminars, workshops and endless discussions to improve police conditions.
For example, police behaviour with the general public (who are also tax payers) is perceived to be far below expectation. It's long been accepted that the police is unfriendly and of little help when one goes to register a complaint or to lodge an FIR. With the new crop of police personnel, who are thought to be more educated, the society expects better functioning, but that seems missing.
That the police and law are there to serve the common man sounds like folklore. They, however, are doing an excellent job in term of carrying out VIP duties or in tackling stone-pelters. But those duties are carried out mostly by specialised forces like the Anti Terror Squad (ATS) in Uttar Pradesh, or the Special Task Force (STF). They have been delivering their duty with hundred percent efficiency. So, what's behind their motivation and commitment? They are part of the same police force, after all. Yet their success rate is so high and the margin of error zero. May be because they are specialised and specially trained.
The civil police could also be trained to match specific requirements. It's certainly not impossible. All said and done, there are a good number of policemen who are efficient and well-intentioned. They need to be oriented towards public service with a compassionate attitude towards the aggrieved. Only that will instil confidence among the public.
Meanwhile, whenever there is healthy criticism of the police, they always make a hue and cry that they are overworked and lack basic facilities lowering their efficacy. That could be partially true, but public grievances surely deserve redressal on priority.
It's time the IPS officers at the helm provide meaningful leadership to the force and occurrences like murder inside a police station do not happen.