In an attempt to bring “reformed” criminals with a history to the mainstream of society as also to rehabilitate them, the Bangalore Police has decided to conduct a thorough review of such persons, who if found reformed, will be removed from the ‘rowdy-sheet’.
“A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting held about 20 days ago, where the Commissioner had, through the proceedings, instructed us to do this,” a senior police official told Deccan Herald.
And following the orders the Bangalore North Division, including Yeshwantpur, Vidyaranyapura, Jalahalli etc., reviewed about 100 “rowdy-sheeters” under its jurisdiction on Thursday.
Jalahalli inspector M S Satyanarayana told Deccan Herald: “Udandi had several cases registered against him in the early ’90s but he has been off illegal activities for the last five to six years, and is working as a construction worker. The DCP thought it fit to remove his name from the list.”
According to informed sources, a few years ago, Udandi decided to quit nefarious way of life after his family members had attempted suicide.
“...That had opened his eyes and ever since he has been earning his living as a bar bender. And it is good that the new directive has been issued. This will definitely encourage more people to withdraw from illegal activities,” the sources said.
“We spoke to the offenders and their relatives to find out whether they were continuing with their illegal activities, or whether they had reformed.”
This will now be followed with the “rowdies” or their families filing applications with the concerned police stations explaining why they must be removed from the list, following which the local inspectors will investigate the matter and submit reports in 15 days.
Even if the inspectors find these people to have reformed, they will be under a year of observation, before their names are actually removed from the list.
The reformed rowdies may quit crime, but police interest in them won’t. Sources said that such people could be, in the future, used as informers by the department.
Engineer found dead
A civil engineer was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his Jai Maruti Nagar residence in Nandini Layout on Thursday.
Latish (30), a civil engineer was alone at home as his wife Swetha was visiting her parents. When her attempts to contact Latish over phone were not successful, Swetha took the next bus and landed at home. With the help of the house owner and neighbours, they broke open the door and found Latish lying dead in a corner.
Police are examining two possible reasons for the death - Latish spraying pesticide to kill bed bugs and sleeping off, and his consumption of alcohol before he slept.
Police are awaiting the post mortem report.
