Having received complaints about discrepancies in uploading FIRs (First Information Reports), Delhi Police Headquarters, in a circular issued last week, has asked all Station House Officers (SHOs) to upload FIRs on the official website in the next 24 hours of registration of case or face departmental enquiry. The circular, however, does not mention the kind of action that would be initiated against the errant officer(s).
After receiving complaints about investigating officers (IOs) not providing FIRs to the aggrieved, the then Police Commissioner BK Gupta had started the initiative of uploading FIRs in 2012. The FIRs related to national interest, women, juvenile and other sensitive issues are placed under the category of “not to be uploaded”. The FIRs pertaining to cheating, theft, robbery and homicide are to be uploaded on www.delhipolice.nic.in soon after registration of case. The sensitivity of the FIR is decided by the concerned district Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
An SHO, who holds the rank of inspector, rued staff crunch at police stations as an impediment to work. “We upload FIRs soon after registration. But the problem lies with inadequate manpower.” The officer claimed that the registration of bulk FIRs on any given day further compounded the delay.
Another inspector said a few officers have gone as far as hiring computer operators for uploading the FIRs. On average, every police station in the city has at least 100 police personnel, including three inspectors. However, the required staff strength depends upon the sensitivity of the area and its demographic. Some police stations have Home Guards for administrative work as well as policing.
Delhi has 182 police stations in 11 police districts. In a day, at least 400 FIRs are registered under various sections of Indian Penal Code and other Acts across the city.