New Delhi: More than 45,000 complainants with their grievances visited city police stations till March this year. The law enforcement agency after listening to their complaints registered over 6,000 FIRs in different cases.
Police sources said that 34,140 complainants met Public Facilitation Officers whereas the concern of 14,194 people was heard by the Station House Officers (SHOs) or Additional SHOs of more than 180 police stations and units in Delhi Police. Sources further told this newspaper that 39,800 complaints relating to different natures including sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, hurt, theft, quarrel, cheating, forgery and others came.
The nature of 563 complaints was regarding sexual assault whereas 18,65 complaints were related to missing and kidnapping. The complaints pertaining to snatching, robbery and theft were 4,982. "As many as 4570 complaints came to police related to hurt, threats and quarrel whereas in cheating and forgery 2,164 complaints were heard," said sources adding that other complaints were 23,920.
In a recent meeting, the Police Commissioner reviewed the status regarding handling of complaints at police stations and prompt registration of cases. The police chief also discussed the disposal of pending investigation cases and period of pendency of these cases especially rape and POCSO. The top cop also reviewed the status of computers with internet connections of facilitation desks in police stations.
Sources said that out of 189 police stations, 183 have PFO desk. In 85 police stations, PFOs have computer connectivity whereas in 56 stations, internet is being provided. Recently, the office of LG Anil Baijal wrote to Delhi Police for providing internet connection to Public Facilitation Desks. "It has also been desired to provide an internet connection in Public Facilitation Desks so that these Desks can facilitate the lodging of e-fir as well," sources said quoting letter content.
According to Delhi Police Annual Report of 2018, as many as 2,36,476 IPC cases were registered during the year as against 2,23,077 in 2017. The report further said that the criminal activities and space, are getting integrated, syndicated and globalised.
Consequently, they pose a challenge not only to the law enforcement agencies but also to the civil society in general. Incidents in Delhi are the focus of attention not only for the National Media but also to world media and even ordinary crimes and disorders tend to be sensationalized causing an unsettling effect on the minds of the people and their perception of the functioning of the police.