NEW DELHI: In a major policy decision, the Uttarakhand government has decided to bring areas presently policed by revenue department, known as 'patwari system' under the regular police in phased manner, the state government informed the Supreme Court.
The state's patwari system of policing through revenue department has come for the criticism after the sensational murder of 19-year-old Ankita Bhandari, who worked as receptionist in a resort.
A petition was filed by a journalist, Anu Pant questioning the continuance of policing by the revenue department.
In its response, the State through its Deputy Advocate General (DAG) Jatinder Kumar Sethi said, "In the first phase, all heinous crimes including crimes against women, kidnapping, cyber-crime, POCSO etc shall be handed over to the Regular Police by the District Magistrates immediately."
The District Magistrates shall complete identification of priority areas within three months and the process of handing over these areas shall be completed within the three months thereafter, it added.
According to the petitioner, Uttarakhand is the only State where the revenue department official or patwari is entrusted the task of crime investigation, a colonial practice.
Ankitas parents claimed that their case got weakened, as Patwari, they contacted initially didnt act promptly, resulting into an opportunity to the accused to destroy evidence.
In reply, the Uttarakhand government said that the State Cabinet in its meeting held on October 12, 2022 has deliberated upon a proposal for bringing within jurisdiction of the Regular Police, those areas that are presently being policed by the Revenue Police in the State.
"The cadre strength of the existing police will be increased, upgraded. Necessary Infrastructure for Police Stations/Outposts vis--vis population strength of target area, Tourist inflow and Crime rate will be done. State Cabinet has taken a policy decision to bring areas, presently police by the Revenue Police, within jurisdiction of the Regular Police in a phased manner," it said.
As for the interim measure, the DMs shall continue to keep a close watch on crime reported in their respective districts and each case will be assessed for necessity of handling by regular police and decision taken accordingly on case-to-case basis, the state government said.
Notably, in 2018, the Uttarakhand High Court recommended the abolition of the Patwari policing system, but the state government filed an appeal against the verdict in the Supreme court, which has remained pending since then.
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