Safety of women, children key challenges before new top cop

A commerce-cum-law graduate who grew up in humble surroundings at a government quarter assigned to his father in Lutyens' Delhi, Bhim Sen Bassi will now lead the largest metropolitan police force in the country.

A commerce-cum-law graduate who grew up in humble surroundings at a government quarter assigned to his father in Lutyens' Delhi, Bhim Sen Bassi will now lead the largest metropolitan police force in the country.

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He is hailed as a 'people's man' by his subordinates and friends alike and is originally from Dera Bassi near Mohali, Punjab.

As DCP (north) around the beginning of his career, he handled the Mandal agitation of 1990 and maintained law and order through the communally troubling times of LK Advani's Rath Yatra before the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1996.

More recently, as special commissioner of police (administration), a 5,000-flat residential complex meant for Delhi Police constables and head constables at Dhirpur was his brainchild.

"He interviewed and interacted with hundreds of personnel about the feasibility of the project, the amenities they expected and the services they needed. The 14-storey residential project has been completed successfully," said a senior Delhi Police officer.

Married to Sunira Bassi, his subordinates and former police officers feel Bassi's main challenge would be creating a sense of confidence among women. Others said addressing concerns about safety of other vulnerable groups such as children and senior citizens will also be a major challenge.

"It is up to him to analyse and judge what he needs to do, but making Delhi's women feel safer should be among his top priorities," said Ajai Raj Sharma, former Delhi Police commissioner. "The criminal justice system is in a flux. He needs to ensure that it is able to further the cause of policing at the grassroots level."