PHOTO: PPI
KARACHI: In an attempt to achieve a high conviction rate and to put an end to demands of 'chai pani' on part of police officials, the Sindh government has enhanced the amount allocated for investigations of various crimes across the province.
According to a notification issued by the Sindh government in September, the allocation for investigation of crimes such as murder, gang-rape, extortion and kidnapping has been enhanced from Rs20,000 to Rs100,000.
The allocation for investigation of bomb blasts, suicide attacks, anti-state and anti-social activities and target killings of personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) has been increased up to Rs500,000. It was pointed out in the notification that the enhancement in the amount will also help ensure effective and solid investigation of the cases and criminals will be brought to justice at the earliest.
"It does not mean that Rs100,000 will be paid to the investigator for each case," explained Admin DIG Ghulam Sarwar Jamali, while talking to The Express Tribune. "But this amount is the final limit. We will pay it to the investigators only on the basis of investigation cost bills.
But in some cases, in which the cost will be more than the fixed money, special permission will be granted." DIG Jamali explained, saying that this will help improve the investigations and investigators will be left with no excuse to demand 'chai pani'.
In Karachi alone, more than 70,000 FIRs are registered each year, most of them pertaining to street crimes. Meanwhile, there are nearly 3,000 police personnel who deal with the investigation wing of the Karachi police.
Criminals at advantage
With the shortage of personnel and unavailability of resources, the Sindh police, particularly the force in Karachi, has been facing a massive problem in investigations, which usually benefits the criminals who easily get released on bail or are exonerated altogether.
For example, the Karachi police claim to have arrested over 80,000 criminals during the first three years of the Karachi Operation that began on September 5, 2013. However, officials said that the police have failed to prove over 95% of them guilty in courts due to lack of proper investigation. This helps many in getting out of jail to re-join the criminal world.
Investigators welcome move
Police investigators seem to be happy with the decision to increase investigation funds. "It is really good if it really happens," said a senior investigation officer of the Karachi police, Inspector Muhammad Mohsin. "Obviously, it will make the investigations better."
A few investigation officers complained that their department never focused on the investigations as they just cared about the number of people arrested. "Can Rs20,000 be enough for the investigators to properly investigate heinous cases of crime and terrorism?" questioned a senior police investigator. "Sometimes, we use money from our own pocket but not each and every time. This always compels us to borrow money from the complainants or others to investigate the cases."
Corruption?
The police department has taken several steps in the past to enhance for the better the investigation process. Last year, the department had planned to hire 200 inspectors and as many prosecutors for carrying out effective investigations and prosecution of cases of heinous crimes. Nevertheless, no such measure bore any fruit.
Then Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali was posted out after the Supreme Court ordered in March this year the National Accountability Bureau to probe the alleged corruption in Sindh Police. The apex court ordered proceedings against Jamali, former AIG Fida Hussain and other high-ranking officers in cases pertaining to payment of cost of investigation to police officers along with illegal appointments in the Sindh Police.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2016.
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