‘Criminals take advantage of system’

The police issuing an arms licence and passport to a criminal booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has raised serious questions about the security scenario in Mumbai and its surrounding areas.

The police issuing an arms licence and passport to a criminal booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has raised serious questions about the security scenario in Mumbai and its surrounding areas.

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Senior cops of the Mumbai police admit that criminals do take advantage of the system and dodge the police by hiding in different parts of the state after committing a crime in one area.

A senior official of the Mumbai police told HT, on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said criminals, who commit crimes in Mumbai, usually hide in Thane, Navi Mumbai or Pune.

“It takes time to detect a committed in another state because there is a lack of co-ordination. Even after the case is detected, it takes time to find out about all the crimes the gang may have committed elsewhere. Criminals take advantage of this,” the official said.

Former director general of police (Maharashtra) Dr PS Pasricha told the Hindustan Times, “The safety and security of the people is important and units of the police should co-ordinate. If there is any issue, the state director general of police should co-ordinate,” he said.

Pasricha added that the project to connect police stations across the station has been pending for 12 years.