Cut VIP security to give more cops for Delhi’s commonman, says HC

“This alarming situation calls for drastic action so that the common man feels safe in the city,” the judges observed. “The number of police personnel which are deployed for the purpose of prevention of crime is not sufficient. To remedy the situation either some of the police personnel looking after the security duties of VIPs should be reverted back for the purposes of policing and the VIP security can be looked after by a separate force,or the police strength should be increased appropriately,” the Bench stated.

The judges, however, left it to the Central Government to decide as to whether some of the police personnel were to be reverted for public security or the strength was to be increased.

The order said the government could also consider the question of pruning of the VIP security.

The Bench said that in accordance with the Srivastava Committee report, at least 42 more police stations should be established in Delhi. The committee had reviewed policing in the capital after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and also suggested induction of 27,000 more personnel into the force.

The court passed this and several other directions after hearing counsel for Home Ministry Rakesh Tikku, Delhi Police counsel S K Aggarwal, petitioner-advocate Rajeev Awasthi, Delhi Police Commissioner V N Singh and director in the Ministry of Home Affairs Ravi Kant Chopra in their chamber for about two hours yesterday.

The court had summoned the police chief forpersonal appearance to explain the law and order situation in the capital. Chopra pointed out that the exercise of pruning the VIP security was already on and the results would be made available on the next date.

The police commissioner submitted that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was making the land available for setting up of police stations at institutional rates which created difficulty for the police in locating funds.

In view of the submission, the judges issued notice to the Union Urban Affairs and Development Ministry to apprise them as to what could be done in regard to the allocation of land by the DDA at cheaper rates for locating 42 additional police stations in Delhi. Tikku accepted the notice on behalf of the ministry.

The judges directed the home ministry, the commissioner of police and other authorities concerned to look into the question of modernisation of the police force in Delhi and give a fresh look to the Srivastava Committee report.

The court has sought a response fromthe ministry of home affairs before the next date of hearing on November 16.