Karnataka: ASIs, head constables can probe non-heinous crimes

Bengaluru: In a decision that could help speed up investigation and disposal of non-heinous cases and ease the burden on sub inspectors and inspectors, the state police chief has issued a circular issuing powers to head constables and Assistant Sub Inspectors to investigate non-heinous crimes.

State Director General and  Inspector General of Police R.K. Dutta has asked sub inspectors and inspectors to guide the junior officers in such cases.

In the circular, Dutta has observed that inspectors and sub inspectors are over burdened with responsibilities like maintaining law and order and investigating crime cases. This has impacted the speed and quality of investigation.

“There is a need to ease the pressure on inspectors and sub inspectors and facilitate speedy and quality investigation in all cases. Thus, head constables and assistant sub-inspectors should be distributed non-heinous crimes, based on the number of head constables and ASIs available. They (head constables and ASIs) should investigate the non-heinous crime cases and also submit final report to the court. Unit officers and supervisory officers should review such cases on a regular basis,” Dutta stated in the circular.

All these years, head constables and ASIs were only assisting inspectors and sub inspectors during the course of investigation. The move has been welcomed by many inspectors and sub inspectors. “This step is expected to reduce work burden on us and also give a feeling to junior officers that they are also doing an important job. In fact, it is the lower rung officials who help crack crime cases and they are capable of investigating even heinous cases,” an  inspector said.