Noted developmental economist and social activist, Jean Dreze on Saturday shot off a letter to Chief Minister Raghubar Das, requesting him to keep police under constant surveillance to force them mend their attitude towards citizens. Dreze’s letter came in the wake of his sour experience with city police as he claimed to have faced humiliation at the police station.
The letter mentions Supreme Court’s direction in DK Basu Vs State of West Bengal and Others on July 24, 2015 as the economist requested Das to install CCTV cameras at all police stations to prevent harassment by police.
“I believe that you are aware of my recent complaint of harassment, theft and attempted bribery against police officers of lalpur thana. This experience has convinced me that CCTV cameras in police stations are essential. This measure would help to protect people from harassment and improve the work culture in police stations,” said Dreze in his letter.
The Supreme Court’s direction, as stated in the letter, says the State Governments shall take steps to install CCTV cameras in all the prisons in their respective States, within a period of one year from Saturday but not later than two years; the State Governments shall also consider installation of CCTV cameras in police stations in a phased manner depending upon the incidents of human rights violation reported in such stations.
The stalwart of MGNREGA campaign underscored the need to have proper checks and balance system to ensure that the candid machines fulfill the purpose of protection from harassment and bribery at police stations. “There should be a protocol as then it cannot be abused against people and police don’t use footage selectively to incriminate people,” maintained Dreze.
Dreze had reportedly approached lalpur police to register case of missing motorcycle on December 13. However, he claimed that police officials demanded `500 as bribe to register case of stolen vehicle. Notably, the police officials mentioned by Dreze in his complaint letter have been suspended.