Contradiction in reports, says SSP after Dhanbad admn criticises police ‘excesses’

The Indian Express had reported on the findings of the report which was prepared after a group of factory owners had approached the district administration reporting the high handedness of the police. The report was then submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on December 15.

The report suggested the Deputy Commissioner take action accordingly. (Representational/Express photo by Jaipal Singh)

Days after Dhanbad administration criticised the police for their heavy-handedness in “forcing” soft coke kiln factories to remain shut and asked for a clarification from the erring officers, the district’s SSP on Friday claimed there was a “contradiction” between the action taken by the police and their alleged excesses.

As previously reported in The Indian Express, a group of factory owners had approached the district administration after the Dhanbad police registered an FIR against a soft coke kiln owner for “spreading pollution”.

In a December 15 report, the administration called the police action “misuse of power and violation of duty for personal gains” and said the police went beyond their jurisdiction to register an FIR against the factory owner and kept various other factory owners in trepidation.

The next day, December 16, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Uma Shankar Singh wrote to SSP Aseem Vikrant Minz, asking him to start disciplinary proceedings against the erring police officials.

The letter said, “In the report, an SHO has been accused of violation of duty, personal gain, going beyond its jurisdiction to register an FIR against a factory owner. Prima Facie it is true… It is requested that strict action should be taken against Nirsa SHO…”

On Friday, SSP Minz claimed there was a “contradiction” in the official police version of events and that of the administration’s report. He said, “There is an FIR lodged by the police against a soft coke kiln owner which is being investigated by the IO (investigating officer), then there is a report which talks about the police’s excess in the same matter. This is a contradiction which needs a proper study. I have received the DC’s letter and will go through in detail and then take a call.”

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