Former police commissioner makes debut as an author

PUNE: Meeran Chadha Borwankar, Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development on Saturday said that the “weakness“ of some prosecutors assigned to cases is the reason why many criminal cases end in acquittal.Borwankar, a former Pune police commissioner, was part of a panel at the Pune International Literary Festival (PILF), along with industrialist Anu Aga. The IPS officer's book Leaves of Life, which gives an account of her over three-decade long career in law enforcement, was released at PILF.“If you are in the police force and pursuing a case in court, there is always a fear of the accused getting acquitted. This has happened in my career as well. There are many reasons to such things happening, including victims not being informed of the progress in the case.But there is also the issue of prosecutors not being able to pursue the case in court. Weak prosecutors are weak links in the criminal justice system,“ Borwankar said, while responding to an audience question. She said that there should be more special prosecutors at the state's disposal to counter the accused, who can often appoint the best defence lawyer. “During a gruesome rape case in Kolhapur, we brought in a wellknown prosecutor from Pune to fight the case and it resulted in a conviction. The state should have the best lawyers working on such cases and more special prosecutors should be appointed. This is because the accused are often rich and they can hire the best lawyers to get away in many cases. Besides, ordinary citizens are also a part of the criminal justice system. There should be more interaction between the police and public,“ she remarked.Responding to a question from actor Mohan Agashe, Borwankar said that most criminals can be reformed. “What I have seen is that thieves and robbers are very difficult to reform but most people in prison are cases of anger management. That is something which can be reformed and corrected.Things are already moving in that direction, but much more needs to be done.“As the evening progressed, the conversation focused on how Borwankar and Aga have built long careers in fields largely dominated by men. “I never really had any problem with men. Most of them have wanted me to succeed. But I remember that when I wanted to bring a consultant into the company for advice regarding a situation, the men on the board were very reluctant. I think it is difficult for men to ask for help,“ Aga remarked to peals of laughter.She had a message of caution and patience for young women seeking careers in police services and elsewhere. “It is unique that Rashmi (Shukla, the current police commissioner, who was in the audience) and I have been commissioners.We have broken tradition. Through my book, I have asked young women to balance survival and ambition. The system is so entrenched; any effort to shake them will result in you being thrown out. The young ones must first strengthen themselves to survive in the system and then bring about the change they want to,“ she shared.