'Eat up your vegetables, or I'll ask police uncle to take you away.' Such threats by mothers could be history, with cops working extra hard towards a people-friendly image.
On Friday, Bangalore police, in association with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, launched the booklet, '101 things you wanted to know about the police but were too afraid to ask'. It'll be distributed at police stations, bookstalls and NGOs.
At the launch, R Ashoka, minister for home and transport, said, "The sight of police should create fear among criminals as much as relief among those in need of help."
"Currently, police reform are an internal business and this is against the democratic process. Without public involvement, no accountability or reforms are possible in law enforcement," Maja Daruwala, director, CHRI said.
Can the police arrest me without giving a reason?
No. Police can make arrests only if there are good grounds for arrest. This happens when a person is caught red-handed for wrong-doing, or the investigation points a finger of suspicion towards that person. Any person found helping someone else to commit a crime could also be arrested.
Can police fire at will?
Not at all. Deadly force is meant to be used in only the very rarest of cases when all other means of controlling a situation fails. Again, there must be an executive magistrate present who approves the action.
How are people arrested on Friday evening and kept in custody til Monday?
The excuse for continuing this illegal practice is for police to say there is no magistrate available over the weekend. In reality, there is always a magistrate on duty available 24/7. A person can be kept in custody before producing him before a judicial magistrate for 24 hours.
Can a police officer come unasked and search homes and take away belongings?
Only in very limited circumstances. If police enter any house for questioning, they may enter only on invitation. However, if police have reasonable grounds and believe a suspect is hiding, or there's stolen property or an illegal weapon, they can enter the house without a warrant from a court. If the suspect, criminal or object needs to be taken into custody and if there is apprehension that the suspect may escape, then police can enter the house without a warrant.
On Friday, Bangalore police, in association with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, launched the booklet, '101 things you wanted to know about the police but were too afraid to ask'. It'll be distributed at police stations, bookstalls and NGOs.
At the launch, R Ashoka, minister for home and transport, said, "The sight of police should create fear among criminals as much as relief among those in need of help."
"Currently, police reform are an internal business and this is against the democratic process. Without public involvement, no accountability or reforms are possible in law enforcement," Maja Daruwala, director, CHRI said.
Can the police arrest me without giving a reason?
No. Police can make arrests only if there are good grounds for arrest. This happens when a person is caught red-handed for wrong-doing, or the investigation points a finger of suspicion towards that person. Any person found helping someone else to commit a crime could also be arrested.
Can police fire at will?
Not at all. Deadly force is meant to be used in only the very rarest of cases when all other means of controlling a situation fails. Again, there must be an executive magistrate present who approves the action.
How are people arrested on Friday evening and kept in custody til Monday?
The excuse for continuing this illegal practice is for police to say there is no magistrate available over the weekend. In reality, there is always a magistrate on duty available 24/7. A person can be kept in custody before producing him before a judicial magistrate for 24 hours.
Can a police officer come unasked and search homes and take away belongings?
Only in very limited circumstances. If police enter any house for questioning, they may enter only on invitation. However, if police have reasonable grounds and believe a suspect is hiding, or there's stolen property or an illegal weapon, they can enter the house without a warrant from a court. If the suspect, criminal or object needs to be taken into custody and if there is apprehension that the suspect may escape, then police can enter the house without a warrant.
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