Cops may have tough time for ‘going easy’ on Salman

Though the police took action according to the provisions of accident-related laws, they should have taken a tougher stand. Even their superiors did not take serious cognisance of the offence, the report states.

‘‘The gist of the report is that the officers could have booked the accused under the sections that were applied after Ahmed Javed suggested it,’’ said Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Khan was initially charged under Secrion 304 A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for causing death due to negligence. It was only much later that the police changed the Section to 304 (Part-II) of IPC, which is culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Though Ahmed has not recommended any serious disciplinary action against the officers, Bhujbal said some administrative action will be taken. The officers dealing with the case included Deputy Commissioner of Police Bipin Kumar Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police Subhash Jadhav, Investigating Officer Kisan Shingale and Inspector Rajendra Kadam. Bhujbal refused to disclose the nature of the action proposed but it could be a transfer.

Significantly, the officers did not complain about any political pressure being brought on them for letting Khan off lightly. ‘‘The report does not say there was any pressure on the police,’’ Bhujbal said. Javed’s report has suggested that the government amend Section 304 A of the IPC to provide for tough punitive measures against the accused for reckless and drunk driving.

Bhujbal said the government plans to increase the detention period under the Maharashtra Criminals, Anti-Social and Other Dangerous Activities Act, 1980.