City police bind 38 gig workers over criminal records

Jaipur: City police issued orders to bind 38 delivery workers associated with various food and grocery apps after a database scan flagged criminal records against them. DCP (South) Rajarshi Raj Varma said a survey of 16,436 individuals was carried out through the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) portal. During scrutiny, 38 delivery workers were found to have past criminal cases registered against them.
"These individuals are being bound down and kept under surveillance. We are also writing to the companies concerned to take action as per rules based on their records," Varma said. He added that in recent months, some delivery workers were found involved in criminal activities, prompting the police to step up verification. "Given the seriousness of recent crimes, immediate preventive steps were necessary," he said. Varma said once legally bound down, the individuals would remain under close watch. "If they are found involved in criminal activities again, action will follow," he said, adding that police asked e-commerce companies to ensure proper background verification before hiring gig workers. Sources said the number may rise as police units in other districts of Jaipur started a similar exercise to check the criminal history of gig workers. Police said a similar drive will now be conducted for app-based cab companies to identify drivers with criminal backgrounds. "We are in constant communication with stakeholders to ensure that persons with a criminal record remain under scrutiny," an official said, adding that the city police also shared the details of 38 persons with all patrolling units.