"It is a serious issue. Dial 100 is meant for public and if it is not answered in emergency, what more we can expect?" a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said.
The bench was referring to a letter received from Delhi High Court judge Justice Vipin Sanghi who had recently called the emergency helpline number, when stuck in a traffic jam, but his calls went unanswered.
"Find the reason (for the judge's call going unanswered). This is a very serious issue that you (the Centre and Delhi Police) need to look into, to make the service more effective and efficient," the bench said.
The court issued notice to the Centre and Delhi Police and directed them to file their replies by July 18 with regard to the issue raised by the judge that "distress calls were going unanswered or put on hold".
According to the letter, despite holding the call for
five minutes, it went on ringing and there was no answer.
"This despite the helpline being an emergency response mechanism. Any call made to 100 should be answered immediately as it is very likely that it may be called by people in grave emergency. In my view, this is a very serious issue that you need to look into, to make the service more effective and efficient," the judge has said in his letter.
"I tried calling you repeatedly sometime later between 10.27-10.30pm, but unfortunately there was no response from your number as well," the letter states.
The judge has urged in his letter that the Police Commissioner ought to act promptly and provide feedback after inquiring into the aspect highlighted by him.
"I would be interested in knowing the result of your inquiry," the judge has written.
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