In a significant development aimed at strengthening law enforcement across the state, Uttarakhand Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth convened a crucial high-level meeting on Tuesday evening. The gathering included senior police officers, such as Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from all thirteen districts, to conduct a comprehensive review of the prevailing crime and law and order situation.
Meeting Follows Chief Minister's Directives
This high-level police assembly was held just one day after Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with the state's senior administrative officials and police personnel. During that meeting, CM Dhami issued clear instructions to the state police force, emphasizing the need to enhance policing effectiveness. He directed officers to avoid wasting time on land-related disputes and instead concentrate their efforts on curbing criminal activities more proactively.
Immediate Suspensions Over Recent Murders
During the review meeting, DGP Seth took decisive action by ordering the immediate suspension of two Sub-Inspectors (SIs) in connection with two shocking murder cases of women that occurred in Dehradun district within the past week. The first incident involved the tragic shooting of a nursing staff member from AIIMS Rishikesh. For this case, SI Sahil Vashist, who was the in-charge of the AIIMS checkpost, was suspended due to alleged negligence.
Similarly, in the heinous murder of a girl in Paltan Bazar under the Kotwali police station jurisdiction in Dehradun on Monday morning, SI Pradyumna Negi, the in-charge of the Khudbuda checkpost, faced suspension. The DGP cited negligence as the primary reason for these disciplinary actions, underscoring the administration's commitment to accountability.
Additional Suspension in Haridwar Clash Case
In another separate incident, DGP Seth suspended Halka in-charge Chudiyala SI Surat Sharma over what was described as gross negligence. This action pertains to a clash and firing incident between two groups during a Ravidas Jayanti procession in the Bhagwanpur police station area of Haridwar. The suspension highlights the police leadership's zero-tolerance approach towards lapses in duty.
Cases Handed Over to Crime Branch for Detailed Inquiry
Given the sensitivity surrounding the murders of the two women in Dehradun, the cases have been officially transferred to SP (Crime) Visakha Bhadane. She has been instructed to submit a detailed inquiry report to the police headquarters within a strict timeframe of one week. This move aims to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into these grave incidents.
Likewise, the Haridwar case involving the procession clash has been handed over to SP (Crime) Jitendra Mehra. He, too, has been directed to provide a comprehensive report to the police headquarters within seven days, as confirmed by an official statement released by the Police Headquarters (PHQs) on Tuesday evening.
Strict Warning Against Interference in Civil Cases
During the meeting, DGP Seth issued a stern warning to police personnel, cautioning them against any interference in civil cases. He emphasized that preliminary inquiries at the circle officer level are now mandatory and must be conducted with complete transparency. This process is designed to clearly distinguish whether a matter is civil or criminal in nature, with further legal actions to follow accordingly.
Additionally, the police headquarters will continuously monitor all pending land-related cases to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure proper handling. Aligning with Chief Minister Dhami's zero-tolerance policy against corruption, the DGP has instructed the vigilance department to actively identify and expedite action against any police officers involved in corrupt practices. This comprehensive approach reflects a concerted effort to restore public trust and enhance the efficiency of Uttarakhand's law enforcement agencies.
