Unnatural deaths: Lalbazar dos and dont’s for cops

Kolkata: On receiving news of an unnatural death, murder, or body recovery, officers at the police stations concerned must record the received information in the general diary (GD), stated one of the guidelines in the 27-point SOP that Kolkata Police has issued on the handling of unnatural death cases.
The protocol, sent to the scientific wing of the detective department and police stations, was recompiled after the controversy of police proceedings following the RG Kar rape and murder. While some of the points were reminders of earlier orders, others attained significance following the introduction of the BNS Act.
The guidelines stated that on receiving the news of unnatural deaths, cops at the police station should note down in the general diary how the information was received, who provided it, and the details of the information before proceeding to the scene. But before heading to the spot, the detective department, the officer-in-charge (OC), and all relevant parties must be informed of the incident. At the scene of the crime, if the family of the deceased is present, a written complaint must be taken from them. If the family was not present, a written complaint must be taken from any willing person present, said the SOP. Subsequently, the relevant officer must obtain approval from a cop, who was present at the scene, and then return to the station to file an FIR. The guidelines state that police should return to the spot with the FIR number.
Specifying what to be done at the scene of the crime, the SOP stated that the first task was to cordon off the area with police tape. Photos of the scene must be taken. Additionally, cops must guard the area to keep outsiders at bay. Witnesses should remain, but others should be removed, said the SOP. The police officer present will take detailed photos and videos of the deceased (if found). Police have been told that everything at the scene should be seized and video-recorded.
The guideline also states that permission must be obtained for the post-mortem. If the post-mortem has to be done after the designated time of 4 pm, a request must be sent to the department concerned, and a sanction must be taken from the DCP. In the RG Kar case, the post-mortem was allegedly held after the deadline.