Sindh Police registers FIRs against 124 cops involved in crimes

Another 205 police personnel have already been dismissed from service in the current year

KARACHI: Sindh Police have registered FIRs against 124 police personnel, who have been found to be involved in various criminal activities. This was revealed in the law and order meeting held at the Chief Minister House on Tuesday.

Official sources, who were present in the meeting, told The Express Tribune that the implicated police personnel were deputed in different districts of Karachi and these cases have all been registered in the past year.

"Many cases are pending before the disciplinary committees against those cops who have violated the code of conduct and are involved in criminal activities," said an official, quoting the Karachi Police chief Additional IG Ghulam Nabi Memon, who briefed the CM on the issue. The official, who is also a senior police officer, said that another 205 police personnel have already been dismissed from service due to their criminal records.

Viral footage leading to immediate crime registration

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, was held to devise a strategy to control the rising incidence of street crime in the city. The CM, who also holds the portfolio of the home minister, approved a plan to strengthen the police helpline, Madadgar 15, by enhancing its force and equipping them with vehicles, the latest gadgets such as tablets and forensic laboratories so that prompt action can be ensured.

The meeting also decided to conduct summary trials of street criminals for which the CM constituted a committee comprising Law Adviser Murtaza Wahab and Sindh Police chief IG Dr Kaleem Imam. The committee will prepare its recommendations and submit its proposal before the cabinet.

Up-gradation of Madadgar 15

The chief minister approved the disbursal of Rs6 million for the purchase of 200 tablet devices for vehicles to be used by Madagar 15.

The police emergency helpline would have a dedicated force of 2,900 policemen and 200 mobile vehicles, fitted with geo-location callers.

Meanwhile, the Special Security Unit has been provided with 30 vehicles. The chief minister directed the police chief to initiate special training sessions for the Madadgar 15 personnel by the SSU.

On the other hand, CM Shah approved vehicles (APV - Suzuki) required for forensic vans for each police station as well as the establishment of drug rehabilitation centres in Malir and Korangi. Besides, the chief minister approved Rs96 million for repairs of the existing fleet of police vehicles and construction of police station buildings. At present, only 20 police stations are functioning in purpose-built structures.

The chief minister, on the recommendation of the Karachi police chief, approved the creation of a Security and Emergency Response Division (SERD). It was also decided to further strengthen the SSU and the Crowd Management Unit (CMU).

Street crimes

AIG Memon gave a detailed briefing to the chief minister on the prevalent scenario of street crimes as well as the police's efforts to curb such activities

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He said that drug addicts were largely involved in street crimes and there were a large number of addicts in the streets. Street crimes had become a source of livelihood, said the AIG, adding that they provided the money to purchase drugs. AIG Memon pointed out that there was no proper rehabilitation mechanism for drug addicts.

It was also pointed out that the lengthy criminal procedure - from the registration of the case to its final judgment in the court - was inconvenient. "This discourages victims from getting the case registered, thus the accused are at an advantage," said the chief minister, whose observation was endorsed by the AIG Memon. The latter pointed out that out of 2,468 complainants approached by the police [Police Victim Support Unit], only 15 agreed to get their cases registered. At this, the chief minister directed his law advisor, Murtaza Wahab, to prepare recommendations to simplify the criminal procedure.

It was also pointed out that bail policy was quite liberal, therefore many of the criminals had become repeat offenders. Illegal Immigrants such as Afghans, Burmese and Bengalis, were also termed drivers of street crimes.

The Karachi Police chief told the chief minister that the police have started searching the hideouts of criminals in 162 slum areas of the city. He said that 390 repeat offenders have been apprehended in October 2019, while 1,631 drug addicts have also been taken into custody. Of these, 1,156 drug addicts were handed over to Edhi Home.

The AIG told the chief minister that mobile patrolling and picketing at crime hot spots have been intensified. "Beat-wise mobile patrolling plan and patrolling by escort mobile of senior police officers has been initiated," he said.

The CM said that there was a dire need to expedite the Safe City Project, besides strengthening the investigation and prosecution wings.

Investigation Branch

The chief minister directed the Sindh Police chief to dedicate personnel for DNA and biometrics verification and give them the required training and expertise. He also issued orders for the creation of a Crime Scene Management Unit (CCMU), as well as the establishment of case file preparation rooms which must be equipped with necessary equipment and gadgets. He directed the IG to select competent officers for the Investigation Branch and enhance their technical support through the IB. The IG told the chief minister that 25 sub-divisional Investigation Officers were being posted.

Home Secretary Kazi Kabir, CTD AIG Kamran Fazal, Special Branch AIG Imran Yakoob, South DIG Sharjeel Kharal, East DIG Amir Farooqi, West DIG Amin Yousif Zai and other officers attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2019.