With an increasing number of police officers being nabbed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for taking bribes, the Maharashtra Police has issued a circular to all police stations, warning them against indulging in corruption. The circular enlists 10 situations in which policemen usually ask for bribes, and tells officers to ensure bribery doesn’t occur.
Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria (left) has issued strict orders to senior-level police officers to curb bribery cases in the police department, or face the music when cops are caught in the act. (Right) Satish Mathur, who was the addl DGP (establishment) in April, drafted the circular that has been sent to all police stations. File pics
The circular, which started reaching police stations on Tuesday, was drafted by senior IPS officer Satish Mathur in April-end, when he was the additional director general of police (establishment). Mathur later took over as the commissioner of police of Pune.
Policemen topped the ACB’s list of people caught taking bribes in 2013 a total of 237 cops were arrested in 155 cases. With not even half the year gone by, the ACB has already nabbed 118 policemen for the offence in 87 cases (see box for details).
“Usually, officers from the police and revenue departments are always first on the list of people arrested for taking bribes. This year, the number of bribery cases in the police department is already touching the century mark in just four months January to April 2014,” said an ACB official.
The circular asks senior police officers to keep a check on the 10 counts, so that no cop accepts bribes. Mumbai police commissioner Rakesh Maria also convened a meeting of his senior police officers and warned them about the increasing number of corruption cases. He has ordered them to keep a strict eye on such activities or else be ready to face the music when anyone is caught taking bribes.
“Our aim behind the circular was to reduce corruption and bring fair policing in the state. There are various reasons for which policemen accept bribes and people pay it to get their work done early. But this has to stop somewhere,” said Mathur.
