UP Police Chief Cracks Down on Officers Over Road Safety Failures
In a stern move to address lapses in road accident prevention, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna has taken disciplinary action against field officers. During a high-level crime review meeting at the state police headquarters on April 8, the DGP directed Superintendents of Police to send six Station House Officers (SHOs) to lines and ordered a preliminary inquiry against two Circle Officers (Traffic).
Zero Fatality District Initiative Under Scrutiny
The action came as the DGP reviewed the performance of the Zero Fatality District (ZFD) initiative, which aims to significantly reduce road accidents across the state. Implemented from January 1, 2026, this comprehensive scheme covers 487 accident-prone police station areas spanning 68 districts and seven police commissionerates.
While the ZFD program has demonstrated positive results in many areas, the review revealed concerning trends at specific locations. Forty-six police stations reported an increase in road accidents, with five stations experiencing particularly significant spikes in incident numbers.
Immediate Disciplinary Measures Implemented
Taking serious note of these lapses, DGP Krishna ordered immediate line attachment for the SHOs of five police stations:
- Cholapur (Varanasi)
- Campierganj (Gorakhpur)
- Chhibramau (Kannauj)
- Ramsanehi Ghat (Barabanki)
- Sikarara (Jaunpur)
Additionally, the police chief mandated a preliminary inquiry against two Circle Officers (Traffic): Alok Kumar Pathak (Barabanki) and Girendra Kumar Singh (Jaunpur). These officers face scrutiny for what has been described as inadequate supervision and failure to ensure effective traffic enforcement in their respective jurisdictions.
Emphasis on Transparency and Public Trust
Highlighting the critical importance of maintaining public confidence in law enforcement, DGP Krishna issued specific instructions regarding complaint resolution. Officers were directed to ensure quality and transparent disposal of complaints through the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS). Senior officers received mandates to personally monitor grievance hearings and ensure timely resolution of citizen concerns.
To further enhance transparency in police operations, officials were instructed to share factual and updated information with all media platforms—print, electronic, and social media. Authorized officers were specifically directed to provide timely and accurate statements to ensure clarity regarding police actions and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Traffic Management and Technological Initiatives
The review meeting also examined the City-Reducing Traffic Congestion (C-RTC) scheme, currently being piloted in 20 districts across Uttar Pradesh. Officers received instructions to focus on reducing travel time during peak hours through targeted interventions and data-driven strategies, including real-time monitoring systems to improve overall traffic flow.
Technological advancement received significant emphasis during the proceedings. The DGP stressed the effective implementation of e-evidence systems and directed that all investigating officers receive comprehensive training for proper utilization of these digital tools. A detailed presentation on the e-evidence system was delivered by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Lucknow.
Intelligence Gathering and Investigation Timelines
Police officials were instructed to maximize the use of the ‘Yaksh’ application for beat-level intelligence gathering. Specific directives included ensuring timely data entry, continuous monitoring of inputs, and swift action on intelligence to prevent potential crimes before they occur.
Regarding investigation procedures, officers received clear mandates to complete cases within stipulated timelines: 60 days for general cases and 90 days for serious offences. Regular supervision of ongoing investigations was made mandatory to ensure compliance with these deadlines.
Comprehensive Security and Community Engagement
The DGP ordered periodic reviews of security arrangements on court premises across the state. These assessments must include evaluation of CCTV functionality, access control systems, and emergency response mechanisms to ensure judicial security.
In a move toward greater community engagement, police units were instructed to hold regular meetings with trader associations. These sessions should address critical issues including law and order concerns, market safety protocols, and prevention of cyber fraud targeting business communities.
Finally, strict compliance was ordered regarding the timely and transparent disposal of seized narcotics under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, ensuring proper procedures are followed in drug-related cases.
