'Societies shouldn't allow unregistered domestic help'

HT interview with Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy on tackling rising murders in Mumbai.

HT interview with Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy.

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Several senior citizens have been killed in a series of murders in Mumbai in the last one month. Is Mumbai becoming unsafe for elderly people?
Of the 11 cases involving senior citizens, seven had something to do with property disputes, street fights or shootouts. The last four cases have been a cause of concern for us because all these instances involved elderly women. In none of these cases could we find any situation of forced entry into the house. This means that the persons who committed these crimes were known to the victims. That is a great cause of concern.

Do you think these murders are part of an organised syndicate?
In the cases that we have detected, there is nothing concrete to show the involvement of an organised syndicate. It seems to be a situation where one [culprit] tends to learn from the other.

How are you viewing the situation? What are measures are being taken?
The situation is being viewed with great gravity. We had an intensive meeting where everyone, from the deputy commissioners of police of all zones to senior police inspectors of each police station, were asked to communicate to residents in their areas that registration of domestic help is mandatory. Though there are no rules or regulations to force this upon anyone, all Mumbaiites must register their domestic help. There are societies in Mumbai that don't allow house help who are not registered with the police to enter the premises. All societies in Mumbai should follow this system.

Finally, if there is a distress call from an elderly woman, how soon can the Mumbai police respond?
We will respond within a maximum of seven minutes. That is the average. There have been situations where we have reached within 3 minutes also.