‘Transfers happening in Police Department on the recommendation of MLAs’
PNS|Hyderabad
A Special Court was established in Telangana and it disposed of close to 500 cases pending against MLAs and MPs.
In this context, the Forum for Good Governance has maintained that, except in eight cases in which a nominal fine was imposed, the rest of the cases resulted in acquittals of the accused, thanks to the ‘failure’ of the police to produce evidence.
“As the cases against MLAs and MPs are taking a long time to dispose, the Supreme Court of India had ordered the constitution of Special Courts to deal with the cases pending against MLAs and MPs.
In many of the judgments, the presiding Judge observed that the prosecution failed to produce evidence. One need not search for reason. How could the local police officer, who is working at the pleasure of the MLA, lead the evidence against him?”
The FGG also wrote a letter to the Director-General of Police regarding postings of police officers, especially at Sl, CI and DSP levels.
M. Padmanabha Reddy, president of the Forum for Good Governance, said: “The police officers are approaching MLAs for transfers and unless there is a recommendation letter from MLA, the competent authority is not transferring.
Stories are making rounds that there is a rate for MLA letters. In view of upcoming elections, MLAs are busy getting a police officer of his choice so that he will be useful during elections.
Barring a few exceptions of honest and upright officers, most of the police officers are virtually at the beck and call of politicians for plum postings and post-retirement benefits”.
The FGG said such administration was denting the image of the Police Department.
The FGG said that in the state of Telangana there appeared to be lot of political interference in transfers. The Supreme Court of India issued guidelines on police reforms.The guidelines, interalia, suggest: “The constitution of police establishment board. To decide all transfers, postings, promotions, and other service-related matters of officers of and below the rank of DY. SP. Accordingly Government vide G.O. Ms. No. 62, General Administration Department dated 7-2-2007 has constituted a Police Establishment Board to decide all transfers, postings, promotions of officers. The FGG said: “It appears the board exists for namesake and only the MLAs are deciding the transfers of officers of and below the rank of Dy. S.P. Therefore, the DGP is requested to kindly inquire into the matter. There might be dozens of recommendation letters from MLA with DIGs and Commissioners for transfers.Police officer who got postings with the recommendation of local MLA may not be impartial, especially during elections and this will affect the conduct of free and fair elections.It is therefore requested to cancel all transfers made based on the recommendation letters of MLAs.”
