Police hold up Sanjay Roy example for civic volunteers on what not to do
Times of India | 14 August 2024
Kolkata: The Sanjay Roy episode has prompted Kolkata Police to ask all unit heads to ensure that their personnel — including civic volunteers — are governed by the rules and discipline of the force. The state is now mulling to maintain a separate logbook of their daily activities like a police’s general diary that tracks all work done.
The last recruitment of civics volunteers, a total of 85, was in the South division in June this year.In that application letter, it had been clearly mentioned that eight separate causes could lead to their suspension.
After the arrest of Roy, multiple complaints of corruption, extortion and intimidation have come to the fore. The main accused in the rape and murder of the second-year PGT doctor had managed to get away even after assaulting his pregnant wife. He bypassed all set norms by using his “contacts” and got into a plum police welfare cell position.
On paper, the enrolment committee comprises three members — a deputy commissioner, one ACP and one inspector working under the DCP. In case of a dispute, an appellate body comprising the commissioner, an additional CP (II) and a joint CP (traffic) will act as arbitrators. “The first entrance, thus, comes under a lot of checks and balances. The problem starts when these civic volunteers begin to misuse their position or even do not report to work for days. It is this area we are trying to address,” an officer said.
The code for discipline is also strict. “All civic volunteers will exhibit the highest degree of discipline and devotion towards govt duty. The civic volunteers will be liable to be demobilized either temporarily or permanently by deputy commissioner of police, Home Guard Organization, for any of the following reasons — dereliction of duty, undisciplined conduct, involvement in any criminal case other than petty cases (however, if the person is acquitted then the incumbent can be reinstated if otherwise not unsuitable), long unauthorized absence from duty, indulgence in corruption/ extortion, exhibiting conduct unbecoming of a volunteer deployed in assistance of the police, incapacitated or medically unfit or any other reasonable cause to be determined by head of unit,” the rulebook lays out.
The detective department has now decided to summon Sanjay’s batchmates to know more about him. “We are investigating if any advantage was taken by Sanjay. This has no connection with the CBI probe,” said an officer.