Delhi Police chief likely to sack 81 of his men

NEW DELHI: In what is seen as a cleanup operation for corrupt and non-performing policemen of various ranks, Delhi Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik has decided to crack the whip against 81 of his uniformed men by invoking compulsory retirement clause.

The majority in the list that is 78 police personnel are of inspector and junior rank.

Besides that, three assistant commissioners of police (ACPs), allegedly involved in corrupt practices and dereliction of duty are also included, sources in the Lieutenant Governor Office said on Thursday.

According to sources, eight more ACPs might also face heat once the first round of sacking concludes.

The Commissioner of Police had forwarded the names of three ACPs to the Delhi administration to begin the process of removal.

Administratively, the power to remove inspector and below from their job lies with the Commissioner of Delhi Police and power to sack ACPs and above lies with Delhi administration and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Patnaik, who is to retire in January 2020, will forcefully retire these Delhi Police personnel under Fundamental Rule (FR) 56(J) and they will be paid three months pay and allowances in lieu at one time.

The Delhi Police come under Ministry of Home Affairs.

Sources said: "All these least 81 officials, including ACPs, to be compulsorily retired in the public interest, due to corruption and other charges and CBI traps."

In a meeting, earlier this month, headed by Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, the Delhi Police submitted the names of the police personnel who are to be removed.

Baijal had accorded to remove the deadwood from the force but he was more worried how to remove the alleged corrupt young Indian Police Services (IPS) officers, who are destroying the basic fabric of governance through their corrupt practices.

The process for compulsory retirement was going on for four months where it was found that 16,000 personnel, out of total around 80,000 police personnel, were above 55 years of age.

A three-member committee, comprising of Special Commissioner of Administration and Special Commissioner of Vigilance, was constituted to look for deadwood within the force. All the head of departments were asked to submit the names of such personnel.

Out of around 16,000, the committee identified around 5,000 police personnel as deadwood, who are unfit to remain in the force.

After a thorough screening, the committee identified 79 men of inspector rank and below and three ACPs and submitted the report to Baijal.

The Lieutenant Governor has been advocating weeding out corrupt from the police, administration, corporations and Delhi Development Authority as part of efforts to ensure high integrity and standards.

The message seems crystal clear that anyone who is involved in corruption or seen as a non-performer would be shown the door.