Maha police stations get special cells: 1 unit won’t probe more than 15 cases a year

The investigation units to be set up in police stations across the state will probe a maximum of 15 cases every year, the recent order by the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) Sanjeev Dayal says.

The investigation units to be set up in police stations across the state will probe a maximum of 15 cases every year, the recent order by the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) Sanjeev Dayal says.

Every police station or district police unit in the state will have at least one investigation unit (IU). Their number will increase depending on the average number of sessions cases – serious offences such as murder and dacoity – registered in the police station in the past three years. More units will be added if the police station registers more than 15 such crimes.

The units will comprise one assistant inspector or sub-inspector, one assistant sub-inspector or head constable and one police constable. An officer of the rank of inspector or assistant inspector, or sub-inspector will be the investigation wing in-charge of a police station.

“The investigation wing in-charge will supervise the functioning of the investigation units and pairavi units [entrusted with following up cases being tried in courts],” a police officer said. The order further says that women police officers/constables will assist the IUs.

According to the norms, the manpower required for the investigation units, women units and pairavi units for the state is 6,384 officers, of which Mumbai needs 691 personnel. These officers will be picked from the existing personnel in the force.