Citizens’ groups start drive against order

Citizen groups are up in arms against the order issued to police stations to make not make a note of calls or visits by legislators or ministers.

Citizen groups are up in arms against the order issued to police stations to make not make a note of calls or visits by legislators or ministers.

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Anandini Thakoor, chairperson of Federation of H-West Ward Citizens Forums, on Tuesday initiated a campaign through which letters would be sent to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, home minister RR Patil and additional chief secretary (home) Umeshchandra Sarangi.

Through a circular issued on November 18, 2010, director general of police D Sivanandhan's office has instructed all police stations across the state to "not make a note of calls or visits by legislators or ministers in station diaries".

Thakoor said: “The station diary is a vital document maintained for the transparent functioning of our police force and is accepted as evidence in courts. By not recording politicians' calls, the government is trying to sabotage the transparency and accountability in the systems.”

Sherley Singh, secretary, Juhu Residents Association, said, “Politicians’ visits or call to the police station are very significant and obviously they would be doing it for specific reason. Their calls and visit should be recorded compulsorily.”

The campaign is getting response from citizens across the city. “Many times a complaint isn’t filed against an accused if a politician backs him, irrespective of the crime,” said Dr Prashant Sawant, RTI activist from Chembur.