Citizens file 1k complaints as home min promises confidentiality and probe

Nagpur: The appeal made by state home minister Anil Deshmukh to citizens, to confidentially share names of anti-social elements and their activities, met with a tremendous response. Some 1,000 complaints had been filed till Tuesday, which was the last day of the five-day scheme to submit grievances at Ravi Bhavan. Even senior citizens and women too were spotted on the last day submitting their complaints.
The senior minister had asked citizens to come forward and give names of goons who had managed to evade police action so far. He had also appreciated the initiative taken till date under city police chief BK Upadhyay and his team, which has sent several gangsters behind bars.
As per Deshmukh’s appeal, the home minister’s camp office at Ravi Bhavan was thrown open to citizens to submit information and complaints between August 20 and 25.
Deshmukh said he would personally scrutinize the complaints and take corrective measures. “We will examine the complaints, allot them to inquiry officers, and decide what action has to be taken in each of them. Every action would be reviewed by me,” he said.
“We have received overwhelming response from citizens and will ensure action in deserving cases,” he said. Deshmukh said he would consider setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) if it was required.
It is reliably learnt a sizeable chunk of the complaints revolve around land mafia, moneylenders, goons engaged in anti-social activities, organized crime syndicates and also substantial number of fraud complaints, which were not attended by police stations. Apart from city, several complainants from rural areas too have shared their grievances.
Deshmukh’s officer-on-special duty (OSD) Sanjay Dhote said secrecy was maintained, and every precaution has been taken to ensure there is no leakage of information. “The home minister had been personally monitoring the entire process of receiving complaints, filing them datewise, and then sealing them for his scrutiny. Some citizens preferred to use the drop-box while some showed confidence to share their grievances with me, which I shall now relay to the home minister,” he said.
“The response made me feel that such complaints redressal system should be made a permanent feature,” he said.
Additional CP Nilesh Bharne, also holding additional charge as Joint CP, said there could be a possibility of opening a dedicated team, like SIT, to probe cases like land grabbing.
CP BK Upadhyay too said the course of action would be decided once the complaints are analysed.