HC raps police for using 'bullock-cart' communication methods

The Bombay High Court today expressed displeasure with the "colonial era" methods used by the state police to communicate official orders and notices.
The division bench of Justices S C Dharmadhikari and G S Patel were hearing a bunch of petitions filed by convicts seeking release on parole and furlough.
Every petition claimed that police authorities did not take decision on parole/ furlough plea within the specified 30-day period.
"Delay in dealing with parole and furlough applications defeats the whole purpose of seeking to be released. Police should start sending in their reports expeditiously. What if a convict wants to go see his ailing parents or wants to attend his sibling's wedding?" the court said.

"Sending notices and orders by posts and then waiting for acknowledgement takes too long. This bullock-cart technology cannot work anymore. In this age you cannot be using methods of the colonial era. Considering the advent of modern technology the present system needs to be changed," the court said.
It also pointed out that when the police delay the decision, the convicts move the High Court, resulting in wastage of judicial time. "We are not an extended prison authority to decide on parole and furlough applications," it said.
The bench directed additional director-general of police (Prisons) Meeran Borwankar to look into the issue and submit a report with her suggestions by October 14.