BENGALURU: DG&IGP Om Prakash has sent out a strong message to policemen sitting on the cases for more than two years. In a circular issued recently, Om Prakash directed all police commissioners, Range IGPs, SPs and Additional SPs to get cracking with the cases. “If you fail to review all pending cases personally and take necessary action to dispose of cases pending investigation for more than two years and submit a progress report by January 11, officers concerned will be held responsible and disciplinary action will be initiated,” Om Prakash has warned. The DGP’s circular came after the High Court on October 9, 2015, commented on the large number of pending cases in Karnataka and directed both Police and Prosecution Department to furnish detailed reasons for delay in investigation of cases, which are more than two years old as on October 10, 2015. The High Court also sought chief of police department to submit the reasons for the delay in trial of cases, which are more than four years’ old as on October 10, 2015.
Om Prakash said the High Court intends to take up a review of pending cases of Chamarajanagar, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru City, Bengaluru - South East, North, West and East Divisions, during the next hearing coming up in January. The officers, including the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City and ADGP (C&TS), have been directed to be personally present in the court, he said. Om Prakash drew the attention of the heads of police department on three other circulars issued earlier after the directions of the court. “In case of lapses, the jurisdictional unit officers concerned will be held responsible and necessary disciplinary action will be initiated. The progress report on disposal of cases should be submitted in three stages - by December 14, 28 and January 11, 2016. The Range IGPs should ensure compliance within their range,” Om Prakash ordered.