To book senders of smut texts to Himmat
The Delhi Police has identified four users who have sent smut on the Himmat WhatsApp & Hike Group, meant to alert crimes against women and decided to book them under an appropriate sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The case is likely to be lodged at IP Estate police station in Central Delhi. As of now, 12,140 people have downloaded and got themselves registered.
According to senior police officials, the messenger group has been saddled with several unnecessary texts and videos for its ease of access. People were assuming it to be a common messenger group for sending texts, photos and videos.
“Restricting them is necessary. Four such persons have been identified who have sent texts and videos, which were obscene and derogatory. They will be booked under appropriate sections,” said an officer, adding, “Our operators are also keeping tabs, so that the service is not misused.”
Enthused by the popularity of its Himmat mobile app for women’s safety, Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi had launched Himmat WhatsApp & Hike Group in February this year. With this, women in Delhi can now send photos of autorickshaws and taxis they board to the Himmat WhatsApp group number 8800001091. The same number is for Hike Messenger group users.
The details sent on both the messenger services will reach the police control room and it will be preserved for a week. Police will take quick action in case of any emergency reported in the group.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations & Communications) OP Mishra, the service has been extended for safety of women in the national Capital but its misuse cannot be overlooked. “With this, the police outreach among women has been increased in comparison to early years,” Mishra told The Pioneer.
The WhatsApp group is also integrated with the PA-100 system (control room) so that in case of an emergency reported on the group, the nearest PCR (Police Control Room) MPV (Mobile Patrolling Vehicle) will be rushed to the spot.
Delhi Police had launched Himmat safety app on Jan 1, 2015. So far more than 30,000 women have downloaded this SOS app and 5,360 have registered with Delhi Police.Hike is a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones that uses the internet for communication.