DCW notice to Delhi Police on action against errant officers

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to the Joint Commissioner seeking details of cases in which Delhi Police have initiated disciplinary action against erring police officers in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.

DCW has also sought information on action taken in 88 cases recommended for departmental action by the previous Standing Committee from August 8, 2014 to September 28, 2015.

It has asked for the number of cases till date in which the present Standing Committee has recommended action against the erring investigating officers and the action taken by the Delhi Police on the cases recommended by the committee. The commission asked the Joint Commissioner of Police to submit the information within 15 days of receipt of this letter. The Supreme Court, while giving its judgment in the case of State of Gujurat vs Kishanbhai, had said: “On the culmination of a criminal case in acquittal, the concerned investigating/prosecuting official(s) responsible for such acquittal must necessarily be identified. Each erring officer must suffer the consequences of his lapse, by appropriate departmental action, whenever called for.” 

“Taking into consideration, the seriousness of the matter, the concerned officer may be withdrawn from investigative responsibilities, permanently or temporarily, depending purely on his culpability. We also feel compelled to require the adoption of some indispensable measures which may reduce the malady suffered by parties on both sides of criminal litigation.

“Accordingly, we direct the Home Department of every state government to formulate a procedure for taking action against all erring investigating/prosecuting officials/ officers. All such erring officials/officers identified as responsible for failure of a prosecution case, on account of sheer negligence or because of culpable lapses, must suffer departmental action,” the apex court had said.