MUMBAI: City police officers who use their own mobile phones to communicate with their sources have suddenly started avoiding them, thanks to a recent Bombay High Court order.
The Bombay HC found that a police officer, Balasaheb Khade, was using two cellphones to demand bribes. The court observed that Khade may not be the only officer doing this and ordered that the police commissioner direct all such officers to furnish details of their phones. The court said any officer using a private mobile phone (one which was not given to him/her by the department) should face action. The police commissioner directed all police officers to provide details of their mobile phones, international mobile equipment identity numbers of their handset and their residential address. Since then officers avoid carrying their 'private phones' and stick to their official ones. Former IPS officer and lawyer Y P Singh said, "It's a conflicting situation. If the officer can't interact with criminals they couldn't gather information about criminal activities and if they are caught interacting they face departmental action.There should be comprehensive circular from the police commissioner prescribing the procedure for interaction with any anti-social element to gather intelligence." A senior police officer said many of the officers still take the risk and use their private mobiles. Comment: Will this order als apply in Goa, since Goa and Maharashtra have the same High Court? Is it neccessary in the light of Goa Police personnel being found to be involved in Drug trafficking, circulating fake currency and pimping for politicians?
