Police take 20 days to register FIR

CHANDIGARH: UT police took 20 days to register an FIR in a case of dacoity wherein computer accessories worth Rs 9 lakh were stolen from a shop in Sector 34 on December 25. Though the shop owner had given key information about the suspects to the police and an accused was detained, the case reportedly did not move further, with the lone "catcher" going scot-free.
According to the police records, the police control room had received a call around 7.15am on December 25 about the burglary. Following it, a team from Sector 34 police station, led by sub-inspector Harminder Singh, reached the spot along with forensic experts and sniffer dogs.
But after that no cop visited the crime spot again and the FIR was registered (on January 13) only after the matter was taken up with senior officers.
Station house officer of Sector 34 police station Rajesh Shukla said, "There was no delay in registering the FIR. We were waiting for a written complaint. Earlier, some other police official was handling the case. But now, I am looking into it. I will make sure the steal is recovered in three days."
Angry with the tardy approach, Deep Chand, the shop owner, said, "I am tired of frequenting the police station. Cops are dragging their feet. No one has been questioned till now. I had to take up the matter with senior cops."
Chand has given the contact details of his former employees who he suspects. He said his guard had taken a leave on December 24 without informing him.
About the theft, he added, "It seems to be the handiwork of my former employees, as thieves broke only those drawers that had expensive hard discs. Besides, they took away costly laptops, leaving the defective ones behind."
"I had to deliver the goods on December 25 and bought the material worth Rs 5.50 lakh a day before. Goods worth over Rs 9 lakh were stolen. I have submitted the bills with the police," he said.
What SSP says?
UT senior superintendent of police Sukhchain Singh Gill said, "It's a serious matter. Action will be taken against the police officials responsible for causing delay in FIR registration. No such thing will be tolerated in Chandigarh police."