Expedite proposals for inducting more police personnel: HC

Delhi High Court today directed the Centre to expeditiously approve the proposal by city police for induction of over 16,000 additional personnel, including a dedicated force for crime investigation.
A bench of justices B D Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva expressed happiness over bifurcation of crime investigation from law and order duties, saying "this will go a long way in providing better investigation of crime, resulting in the actual perpetrators being convicted finally by courts of law".
It also hoped that the dedicated force will comprise of people "having requisite investigative skills" and suggested that they be trained in "special investigative techniques" by keeping in mind the modern investigation methods and the different kinds of crimes being committed.

It also directed the central government to expedite the other 14 priority proposals sent by Delhi police for 11,962 more posts, saying the entire exercise be preferably completed by May 20, the next date of hearing.
On installation of CCTV cameras, the court directed that once the vulnerable areas are identified by Delhi police, the cameras should be installed within two months.
It said that while installing the cameras "special regard be given to maintaining privacy of individuals" and that CCTV be installed in public areas "without encroaching upon privacy of people".

The court, however, was not happy over method of procuring equipment for Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSL), saying it was a "major problem" which requires some "thinking" by the government.

The bench made the observation after Delhi government informed it that it needs to procure equipments with regard to audio-video, computer forensics and DNA testing, for its RFSL at Yashwant Place here, and sanctions for these have to be sought afresh as the ones granted earlier have lapsed.
The government said they will have to see whether prices have fallen prior to seeking fresh sanction.
To this the court responded, "This is a major problem with this country. An expensive equipment may be better, but we are stuck with a third class equipment as it was the cheapest (during procurement).