Action against city cop 3 years after his death

An embarrassing moment for the Mumbai police administration has brought to the fore its acute tardiness when it comes to acting on cases.

An embarrassing moment for the Mumbai police administration has brought to the fore its acute tardiness when it comes to acting on cases.

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The family of an assistant police inspector (ASI) Suresh Shivram Dalvi was informed recently that action had been initiated against him for prolonged absence from duty. The family was shocked, as Dalvi had died three years ago. Interestingly, Dalvi had taken the leave a decade ago.

The action against Dalvi and the correspondence to his family was published in the Police Notice, the bi-monthly in-house circular on the happenings in the force – on December 6.

Sources in the Mumbai police said Dalvi was posted in the crime branch when he took leave for 395 days (in phases) during 2001-02. The leave was on account of a chronic disease he was suffering from. As the leave was far beyond that sanctioned, Dalvi was suspended and a departmental inquiry initiated. The inquiry found him guilty and Dalvi was given ‘compulsory retirement’ in 2006. He died on February 8, 2008, aged 62.

When asked, joint commissioner of police, administration, S P Yadav, expressed surprise. “I will order an inquiry into the delay.” He, however, clarified that such delays may have occurred due to work piling up. “But this cannot be justified,” he added.

The police refused to give HT the Dalvis’ residential address.