Delhi Police anti-corruption helpline registers over 1 lakh calls

Over a lakh people have approached Delhi Police’s anti-corruption helpline number 9910641064 since its inception in August last year.

According to police, 85,657 messages were sent on WhatsApp, while 10,442 calls and 3,590 SMS were also made.

In all, eight policemen were dismissed on corruption charges and 69 have been placed under suspension in 46 cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

At a meeting on Thursday with Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung expressed concern over the figures on corruption. But most of the calls were not actionable

due to lack of evidence after enquiry, Special Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) Amulya Patnaik told reporters on Saturday.

He also highlighted that the helplines have become popular with the public and are being used to report any corrupt demand or misdemeanor by policemen.

“When there is a WhatsApp message or call in which there is any iota of evidence, we carefully analyse it and when anything actionable is found we register a case or take departmental action,” Patnaik said.

Thirty-six of the cases were registered with the vigilance unit against 74 police personnel – two inspectors, six sub-inspectors, six assistant sub-inspectors, 22 head constables and 38 constables.

Cases registered
The other 10 cases were registered at police stations against 10 personnel – five sub-inspectors, an assistant sub-inspector, two head constables and two constables.

Police wanted to send a clear signal that those indulging in corruption would not be spared.
“So far, we have registered 46 POCA cases. In one department, 46 POCA cases are a fairly large number. It only corroborates that we are very harsh when any complaint comes to us regarding corruption in police,” Patnaik added in his statement.

Over the past one year, police have also received about 3,000 calls and messages pertaining to corruption in other departments, mainly the municipal corporations, Delhi Jal Board and the Transport Department.

“We refer these complaints and complainants to the Anti-Corruption Branch of the Delhi government,” Patnaik said.

Police have told the Lieutenant Governor that they will continue their anti-corruption campaign, and all district and unit heads have been sensitised in this regard.
During the entire 2014, police conducted 727 departmental enquiries and 538 vigilance enquiries.

Cases under POCA were registered against 44 personnel and allegations were proved in 53 of the vigilance enquiries.

Three assistant commissioners of police, including a retired officer, 18 inspectors, 24 sub-inspectors, seven assistant sub-inspectors, 17 head constables and 30 head constables were found guilty.