They are not from the Police Department. Not even remotely connected to investigation of crimes in anyway either. Yet, private typists engaged to type case diaries, charge-sheets and other files in different police stations are having access to crucial and sensitive details of crimes.
So much so that their proximity to police officials, sometimes, is enabling them to influence investigation of cases. Interference in police investigation by them is mostly to make money. Some of them are using their position to settle personal scores despite knowing it is illegal.
A classic case is that of Jagannath Naidu, recently arrested by Amberpet police for his alleged role in abduction and murder of a housewife Sunitha. Police records state that Naidu had been engaged by different police stations in Cyberabad to type documents like case diaries and remand reports.
While the prime charge against Naidu was the killing of Sunitha, the murder brought to light some curious issues. Earlier, he tried to implicate Sunitha’s husband Krishna in a murder case reported in Sanathnagar police station. Before eliminating the victim, he also befriended her by sending text messages and making phone calls to her.
Instead of using his mobile number, Naidu called Sunitha with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card which belonged to a person detained by Sanathnagar police in a brothel case. Investigators found that the typist attempted to fix Krishna in a murder by leaving a paper slip with the latter’s name and house number written on it.
“It is clear the typist wielded enormous power in the police station. Otherwise, securing SIM card of a person detained in brothel case and the vain bid to implicate Krishna in a murder would not have been possible,” said a police officer, unwilling to be quoted.
Police officials are aware that engaging private persons to type case diaries, statements, remand reports, charge-sheets leaves scope for typists resorting to corruption by approaching the accused. They can misuse sensitive information harming the interests of victims as well. Yet, the practice continues unhindered.
