Legislators had complained against cops noting their calls

The state police’s notification to police stations telling them not to make entries of calls or visits from legislators or ministers has been issued on the basis of former home minister RR Patil’s assurance to some legislators.

The state police’s notification to police stations telling them not to make entries of calls or visits from legislators or ministers has been issued on the basis of former home minister RR Patil’s assurance to some legislators.

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The notification said during the Legislature’s monsoon session of 2007, some members of Legislative Assembly had complained to Patil that police stations make note of calls they make in connection to cases. Patil had assured them that he would look into the matter.

According to the notification, senior police inspectors should make diary notings only of visits mentioned under rules 226 and 525 of the Police Manual (Part 3). These rules deal only with visits of senior police officers, handing over of charge, an officer stepping out of the police station for an investigation, information received and detention of suspects.

These diary notings can get politicians into trouble like they did in the case of former chief minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Sananda was accused of charging farmers in the suicide belt of Vidarbha very high interest on loans. Thirty-four complaints were registered against Sananda and his family until June 28, 2006, but due to Deshmukh’s interference the police did not register more cases.

The aggrieved farmers moved the Bombay high court, which fined Deshmukh Rs25,000 in 2009. The state appealed to the Supreme Court but the apex court upheld the high court’s order and on December 14 enhanced this fine to Rs 10 lakh.