Nagpur police not to involve in recovery of dues or vacating premises: CP

Nagpur: City police chief

Amitesh Kumar

has made it clear to the police station in-charges and other supervisory level officers that cops will not henceforth involve in recovery of dues or vacating premises to resolve disputes. The statement was made at an open complaint redressal camp last week. It is likely the first time any CP has publicly made such an announcement.

While dealing with similar cases raised by citizens at the camp, the top cop issued instructions to cops to steer clear of civil disputes of controversial nature. He asked police stations in-charges to register FIR only if there is a crime component in disputes and leave the rest to be referred to the civil court.

In the backdrop of allegations of corruption and misuse of law, Kumar said stern action will be initiated against any personnel found violating the order.

The CP said in a dispute between the landlord and tenant police have no role to play but the grievance have to be resolved through civil court or rent tribunal. “If there is a forceful eviction or muscle power used for that purpose presuming it would be an easy way out, then such a mischief would be dealt with an iron hand,” said Kumar.

He also said police are no recovering agent or an institution for arbitration. “Unless there is a criminal angle to it, police will not intervene in such situations. At times, there is a thin line between criminality and civil dispute but it has to be dealt in a transparent and legal manner,” said the top cop.

“Police would be provided for assistance in civil matters only when there is a court order or a bailiff appointed and in similar situations,” said Kumar.

Kumar also said that the framework within which a cop is expected to work has been laid down and explained. “Any action has to be transparent. Even if an intervention has to be made due to some emergency issue, then the parties should be summoned and the grievances must be dealt in each other’s presence after referring to their documents and other testimonials,” said Kumar.

Police station officers were asked to ensure cases are disposed of within 90-day framework and pendency of complaints should be cleared. Around 3,000 complaints have been disposed of by police in around one-and-half months’ time.