Khaki new colour of crime in Mumbai: Bribery cases against policemen on the rise

In the past several years, there have been an increasing number of cases — including rape, robbery, molestation, domestic violence and even murder — being registered against several policemen in the city, and state.

The National Crime Records Bureau statistics for 2012 show that 6,925 cases were registered against policemen themselves in the state.

Only a few days ago, the Bandra police caught a sub-inspector and a police constable for robbing ornaments worth Rs5.5 crore by escaping with a courier vehicle in Bandra. In another incident a month ago, assistant police commissioner Shivaji Narwane killed his 25-year-old stepson after his wife alleged that the latter had been sexually harassing her over the last few months.

That the police often need their palms greased is a well-known fact. In January this year, officers of the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) in Nashik caught Bipin Jagannath Tiwari, a constable attached to the Chalisgaon police station in Jalgaon district, was arrested for accepting Rs65 lakh as bribe from a private firm.

As per figures provided by the ACB, between January and October this year, 182 policemen in the state were found to be involved in bribery cases. The figure has risen from last year, where 155 policemen were caught for accepting bribes.

Former DG PS Pasricha said, “We should take strict action against such policemen. Also, a separate department should be set up to monitor the police.”

Director General of Police (Maharashtra) Pravin Dixit, who heads the Anti-Corruption Bureau, said that the fear of God needs to be instilled in everybody, be it the police department or the government.

“Criminal tendency depends on your society and surroundings. If a person is surrounded by people with exemplary behaviour, he will follow them, and if surrounded by people with a criminal bent, he will be motivated to do the same.”

The guardians turn nightmare
The National Crime Records Bureau statistics for 2012 show that 6,925 cases were registered against policemen themselves in the state.

As per figures provided by the ACB, between January and October this year, 182 policemen in the state were found to be involved in bribery cases. The figure has risen from last year, where 155 policemen were caught for accepting bribes.