Following complaints of traffic policemen on court duty allegedly favouring certain advocates to deal with cases, a decision has been taken to introduce a system of rotation.
P. Harishekaran, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), has issued a circular to all traffic police stations mandating that constables attending court duty should be changed every month on rotation basis. The idea is to ensure discipline and to break the nexus between lawyers and policemen.
Recently, advocate groups alleged that court-duty constables were giving accident cases only to certain lawyers. “Though the constables are supposed to be deputed on court duty for a maximum of six months, most have continued to work unabated for many years. This may lead to irregularities and indiscipline,” a senior police officer said. The circular also directed Police Inspectors to attend the court every month and discuss with public prosecutors to get an update on cases pertaining to their stations. A monthly report on these updates and action taken should be submitted to senior officials, said the circular.
However, some officials have opposed the circular. According to a senior officer: “A new constable with no prior experience takes 15 days to understand legal proceedings. By the time the constable gets a grasp, he or she would be posted elsewhere. This will create confusion.”
