Protectors are perpetrators, we’re worried about it: Gujarat HC on extortion by cops

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court expressed concerns on Monday regarding a situation where those who are meant to protect become perpetrators. The HC was addressing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) case involving two traffic police constables and a traffic brigade member allegedly extorting money from a couple traveling in a cab at night in Ahmedabad city.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P Mayee requested a report to determine if similar incidents have occurred in other cities across Gujarat. The court also directed authorities to ensure that helpline numbers are prominently displayed in taxis to facilitate easy access for individuals in distress.

The Chief Justice remarked, “People are safe, no doubt. But if perpetrators are protectors…The issue here is not about criminals. Protectors are perpetrators, we are worried about this situation,”

The government lawyer informed the high court that an FIR had been filed against the involved traffic officials and the traffic brigade member on the following day, and they were arrested a day later. The two constables were suspended, the traffic brigade member, who is employed on adhoc basis was terminated. An inquiry under the Prevention of Corruption Act has also been initiated against them, and the police commissioner issued a circular to ensure that citizens returning from stations during night hours are not harassed.

Stringent orders have been issued to all police station incharge officers to conduct roll calls of officers and home guard jawans. “All police officers and home guard jawans on night duty are instructed to wear nameplates on their uniforms, and strict action will be taken if they are found absent,” the govt lawyer added.

The high court directed the police to expedite the departmental inquiry against the suspended constables and scheduled the next hearing for September 20.

The HC took suo motu cognizance of a news report of two traffic police jawans and a traffic brigade member forcibly entering a cab during a late-night checking drive. The officers threatened to charge a couple returning from Ahmedabad airport for violating a police commissioner’s notification. One officer took the male passenger to their vehicle, while the other two remained in the cab with the woman and her child. They demanded Rs 2 lakh initially but settled for Rs 60,000 when the couple couldn’t pay. The male passenger was also forced to withdraw cash from an ATM. DeshGujarat