Traffic cops neglect duty, always engaged on mobile phones, says HC

Nagpur: It’s a well-known fact that a majority of cops skip their duties of managing traffic at squares and are seen sitting on their bikes playing with their mobiles or standing at the corner for catching offenders.
On Wednesday, the charges came from none other than Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, which censured them for not complying with its earlier orders of October 3.

“It’s a matter of record that at every square, traffic signals are installed and mostly functioning. In spite of this, number of persons who jump red signals is noticeable. Even public transport vehicles, including some police ones carrying children are seen jumping red signals,” a division bench comprising justices Ravi Deshpande and Vinay Joshi said, while reading out HC’s October 3 order.

While warning the commissioner of police (CP) Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay of taking a serious view of regarding dereliction of their duties by traffic police, the bench granted last opportunity to him to “set his house in order”.

Terming the situation as “alarming”, the judges pointed out that the impression is gathered that traffic signals are meant to control and regulate traffic and CCTV cameras installed are to watch the vehicular movements, while traffic controller has no role to play.

The stern directives came while hearing a suo motu PIL (No. 5/2016) where it had appointed Shreerang Bhandarkar as amicus curiae. The HC had taken suo motu cognizance of a fatal accident involving a 15 year-old boy dashing off against a middle-aged woman, who suffered serious head injuries.

Before adjourning hearing till January 23, the judges explained that they had invited the DCP (traffic) in chamber, but he deputed police inspector to listen to grievances. They issued detailed instructions to him personally along with the problem of congestion of traffic.

“Initially, he expressed lack of infrastructure and staff to control and regulate traffic even on main squares in the city. He explained that it’s not possible to deploy traffic police at important places like Akashwani Square, Rahate Colony Square or even RBI Square and Zero Mile. This was a surprise reaction like an immature police officer,” they said.

The judges pointed out to the inspector that state home department secretary can be called to ascertain factual aspects, and if any deficiency in deployment of staff is being faced, it can be taken care of.

“It’s noted with great regret that having called DCP (Traffic), an inspector was sent. This shows lack of seriousness and sensitivity to problem which is being faced by the public at large,” they tersely remarked.

After the October 3 hearing, the HC registry issued a letter as per justice Deshpande’s instructions to CP on November 22 regarding total failure of traffic cops to control and regulate traffic at several important junctions, even during office hours.

“The traffic police are either not seen or appear to be continuously engaged in watching or talking on mobile phones or with each other, ignoring even the jumping of signals and other traffic rules. They’re found essentially in some corner of square or hiding themselves. This is creating serious problem of traffic congestion, causing delay in attending the duties on time,” the letter mentioned.

The CP responded to the registry’s letter assuring that they had complied with instructions issued to them. “We find that the instructions have been issued to police constables to remain present at squares to regulate traffic, but it’s noticed that the traffic is not regulated,” the judge said.