Guj order asks cops not to hurry in filing FIRs against babus

Gujarat Government has asked police not to hurry in filing FIRs against public servants before verifying facts as such practice adversely affects the morale of officials, drawing a flak from Congress which said the order is not in sync with constitution.
In a notification issued today, the Home Department directed all heads of police to implement a system to crosscheck the claims made by complainants concerned as they could have approached the police out of a grudge against a officer.
Many people approach police to lodge an FIR against those government officers or public servants who have taken some action against that person(s), it stated.

To avoid such practice, the Home Department has asked the police not to take FIRs against public servants immediately and conduct a thorough inquiry before registering them.
Police should file an FIR only if they find the claims made by the complainant legitimate.
Explaining the logic behind such order, the department stated that this step is necessary to boost the morale of public servants who are wrongfully targeted by those who are facing some legal action from government.

The notification claimed that public servants get demoralised after their names appear in newspapers once an FIR is filed against them.
Gradually, public servants lose their zeal and enthusiasm to discharge their duties due to such incidents, the order stated.

However, the opposition Congress criticised the government over the "diktat".
"This notification is against the spirit of constitution. Everyone is equal before law, which is the basic principle of our constitution. Now, the state government wants separate treatment for their officers. Such notifications do not stand legal (scrutiny)," said senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil.