There is a desperate need for legislation, modification and scrutiny of the entire system of the police helpline
KARACHI: In 2015, the inspector general of police in Sindh issued instructions for the deployment of one standby mobile van in each police station to ensure rapid action in response to Helpline 15 complaints, with the help of representatives of CPLC to effectively fight crimes and to respond to distress calls, the Muhafiz force and the police helpline 15 were also merged to form a unified force. The new system was designed to ensure a prompt response to the citizens’ complaints. However all these efforts went in vain, as there were persistent complaints about non-attendance of distress calls, lazy and lethargic attitude of the telephone operators.
On July 15 2016, the Supreme Court, at the Karachi registry, took strict action against the non-compliance of the complaints lodged by citizens of Karachi via using police helpline 15. The IG in open court admitted that the recording system of the helpline 15 had been out of order for the last four years, and it has not been fixed till date.
In July 2016, the Supreme Court, while hearing the Karachi law and order case, told the IG that the Sindh police has to inquire into every complaint lodged via police helpline number 15. Furthermore, the court ordered that the relevant police station through its SHO has to submit details of the inquiry conducted by them to the SSP concerned of the area. However, police officials of Karachi have found an ingenious way to exempt themselves by lodging FIRs against the genuine complainants, under Section 25-D of the Telegraph Act of 1863, accusing them of falsely registering complaints using the 15 police helpline and forcing the complainants to write apology letters to the SSP and SHO concerned.
In this way, Karachi police successfully discharged the burden of investigations of the complaints lodged by citizens.
From August 2016 till April 2017, police stations of District South Karachi lodged more than 45 FIRs under Section 25-D of the Telegraph Act of 1863 against the genuine complainants. Interestingly, all of the FIRs were quashed by the relevant courts.
There is a desperate need for legislation, modification and scrutiny of the entire system of the police helpline, so that aggrieved persons may trust it and feel comfortable using the same.
Arsalan Raja
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2017.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
