The Madras High Court on Wednesday recorded its “deep appreciations” for Director General of Police T.K. Rajendran and Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, A.K. Viswanathan for having issued circulars instructing their subordinate officials, especially the traffic policemen, to desist from using mobile phones on duty.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh recorded the submissions made by Additional Public Prosecutor M. Mohamed Riyaz that the DGP had issued the circular right on January 22 when the judge expressed serious concern over many traffic policemen either talking over their phones or using the mobile applications without regulating traffic.
The Commissioner too had issued a similar memorandum on Tuesday and recognised the fact that police personnel depolyed on official duties do use their mobile phones frequently and such excessive and unnecessary use of phones on duty interferes with their field duties and affect their concentration on work.
“It is to be noted that the police personnel on duty should be very active and alert at all times and should always be ready for timely reaction in times of need. In such a situation, the use of cellphones will distract their minds... Chief office has issued a memorandum highlighting the bad effect of usage of cellphones by police personnel on duty.
“During bandobust duty, unless permitted by bandobust scheme itself, in important areas, police personnel below the rank of Sub Inspector of Police, particularly those depolyed in VIP bandobus, agitations of all kinds, festivals, traffic enforcement etc must not be allowed to carry cell phones with them,” the memorandum issued by the CoP’s office read.
The APP also submitted a list of police personnel against whom departmental action had been taken for using mobile phones on duty since January 22. The list disclosed that action had been taken against as many as 13 personnel in Chennai city, nine in Tiruvarur, three each in Villupuram and Salem city and two in Dindigul.
After recording the contents of the documents placed before him, the judge directed the police officials to make sure that the circulars do not remain on paper and that they were implemented in letter and spirit. He also insisted on following up the issue on a regular basis and keep a check over it at periodic intervals.
