DGP sends 6 SHOs to Lines, orders probe against 2 COs for laxity in road safety steps

Lucknow: Acting against field officers over failure to curb road accidents, Uttar Pradesh director general of police Rajeev Krishna directed SPs to send six station house officers (SHOs) to lines and ordered a preliminary inquiry against two circle officers (traffic).

The action was taken during a high-level crime review meeting at the state police headquarters on April 8, where the DGP reviewed the performance of the zero fatality district (ZFD) initiative aimed at reducing road accidents.

The ZFD scheme, implemented from Jan 1, 2026, covers 487 accident-prone police station areas across 68 districts and seven police commissionerates. While the initiative has shown positive results, the review revealed that 46 police stations reported an increase in road accidents, with five stations witnessing a spike.

Taking note of the lapse, the DGP ordered immediate line attachment of the SHOs of Cholapur (Varanasi), Campierganj (Gorakhpur), Chhibramau (Kannauj), Ramsanehi Ghat (Barabanki), and Sikarara (Jaunpur).

The DGP also ordered a preliminary inquiry against two circle officers (traffic) — Alok Kumar Pathak (Barabanki) and Girendra Kumar Singh (Jaunpur) — for inadequate supervision and failure to ensure effective traffic enforcement.

Highlighting the importance of public trust, the DGP instructed officers to ensure quality and transparent disposal of complaints under the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS). Senior officers were directed to monitor grievance hearings and ensure timely resolution.

To enhance transparency, officials were directed to share factual and updated information with print, electronic and social media. Authorised officers were directed to provide timely and accurate statements to ensure clarity regarding police actions and avoid misinformation.

The City-Reducing Traffic Congestion (C-RTC) scheme, currently being piloted in 20 districts, was reviewed with a focus on reducing travel time during peak hours. Officers were instructed to adopt targeted interventions and data-driven strategies, including real-time monitoring, to improve traffic flow.

The DGP stressed the effective implementation of e-evidence systems and directed that all investigating officers be trained for its proper use. A detailed presentation on the system was delivered by DCP (South), Lucknow.

Further, the use of the ‘Yaksh’ app for beat-level intelligence gathering was emphasised. Officers were instructed to ensure timely data entry, continuous monitoring, and swift action on inputs to prevent potential crimes.

Officers were directed to complete investigations within stipulated timelines — 60 days for general cases and 90 days for serious offences. Regular supervision was mandated.

The DGP also ordered periodic review of security arrangements on court premises, including CCTV functionality, access control, and emergency response mechanisms.

Police units were instructed to hold regular meetings with trader associations to address issues related to law and order, market safety, and cyber fraud. Additionally, strict compliance was ordered for timely and transparent disposal of seized narcotics under the NDPS Act.