List of case-based operating procedures in all PCR vans

Every PCR van will now have a set standard operating procedure (SOP) to attend to calls related to women in distress. The decision will help reduce room for error and PCR reaction time, police said.

The new system will ensure that each PCR van has notices that explain, in bullet points, the operating procedure to attend to a distress call. There is a separate SOP for every distress call, particularly those of molestation, rape, domestic violence and threat calls.

“For instance, if the call is about a rape incident, then the operator need not waste time (waiting) for a briefing from his supervisor to react. The SOP would guide the operator as to what he should do,” T N Mohan, Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) told Newsline.

Meanwhile, Delhi High Court on Thursday asked government and police to ensure that there is proper publicity to its orders that all hospitals, including private ones, cannot deny treatment to victims of criminal offences.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/list-of-casebased-operating-procedures-in-all-pcr-vans/1081445/

Cabinet clears flat in Dwarka for family of gangrape victim

The government on Thursday decided to allot a Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flat to the family of the 23-year-old woman who was gangraped and tortured on a moving bus in South Delhi last December. She died in a Singapore hospital 13 days after the assault that sparked outrage across the country.

Officials said a middle-income group flat, which costs around Rs 50 lakh, is likely to be allotted from the vacant pool with the DDA. The proposal, mooted by the Urban Development Ministry, got the Union Cabinet’s approval during a meeting on Thursday evening.

“The Cabinet approved the sanction and grant of an apartment of DDA to the unfortunate victim of the Delhi gangrape case,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters.

An official statement said the allotment will be done in relaxation of the existing policy/guidelines of DDA for allotment of houses on out of turn basis. The cost of the flat will be borne by the Delhi government.

Until Thursday evening, the family seemed unaware about the allotment. The victim’s brother said no official had informed them about the allotment in Dwarka.

On February 2, when UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited their house, the family expressed unhappiness over the location of the accommodation the government planned to provide.

“We were told the flat was on the outskirts of the city, far from our current residence, somewhere in Bawana. My mother told Soniaji that we want to stay somewhere closer, so Soniaji told us we will be getting a flat, possibly in Dwarka,” the brother said.

The family had also urged Sonia to ensure swift justice in the case. The trial has already begun in a fast-track court in Saket but the media has been restrained from reporting proceedings in the case. Five men have been charged with rape and murder of the 23-year-old. The sixth accused is a juvenile who is facing proceedings before the Juvenile Justice Board.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cabinet-clears-flat-in-dwarka-for-family-of-gangrape-victim/1077892/0

Noida Mobbed: 18 injured 65 cars damaged 65 arrested

Day 1 of the two-day nationwide strike, announced by trade unions weeks ago, took Noida police by surprise on Wednesday when the protesters turned violent, damaged vehicles, vandalised and looted properties, and hurled stones at security personnel.

Eighteen people, including six policemen, were injured in the violence. Clashes broke out in sectors 83 and 84 of Noida Phase-II, where a 1,000-strong mob set fire to 15 vehicles and damaged 50 others parked within the premises of private companies. The protesters also torched a fire tender that went to the spot to douse the flames.

“A similar protest was reported from Sector-58 around the same time. Here, a mob of a few hundred people hurled stones at windowpanes of factory buildings,” a senior police officer said.

In Lucknow, Arun Kumar, ADG (Law and Order), admitted that “police force deployed was inadequate”. “Police had not thought that workers of private organisations would join the strike. The strike call was meant for government sectors like transport, banks and railways. It took about two hours for additional police force to reach the spot.”

Factory owners in sectors 83 and 84 said they heard of a mob “on the prowl” around 8 am, but the first report of protesters turning violent came around 9.30 am.

A resident of the area, Aneesh Sharma, said: “There were at least 500 in the group, some identified themselves as workers at the factories nearby and demanded better salaries. They hurled stones and smashed the windowpanes of several cars and set fire to at least six of them. Much of this took place on the premises of International Print-o-Pac. Then the mob moved to Motherson Sumi automotive factory and damaged vehicles in the compound. They looted computers and other items and then went on to attack other company offices along the stretch.”

Eyewitnesses said they called police soon after violence began, but the force arrived more than an hour later. “When the first fire tender arrived, policemen accompanying it were overpowered and the vehicle was set on fire. Additional force arrived two hours later, though the Phase-II police station is barely a kilometre away,” a witness said.

Police resorted to lathicharge and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Sporadic incidents of violence continued till 2.30 pm.

ADG Kumar said a majority of protesters were members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS).

“The mob led by CITU and HMS office-bearers vandalised factories and torched vehicles. The rioters also looted garments from an outlet. Cases of arson, vandalism, loot and attack on police force have been registered. The factory owners have filed complaints, for which separate cases are being registered. Legal notices to the leaders of the two organisations will be served to realise money against loss of public property,” Kumar said.

Senior Superintendent of Police Shalabh Mathur said a five-member committee has been appointed and a magisterial inquiry ordered. “We have arrested 65 people and detained several others. We are in the process of collecting CCTV footage and media video recordings to identify those involved,” Mathur said.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/noida-mobbed-18-injured-65-cars-damaged-65-arrested/1077241/0

19-year-old sneaks guns inside court, murders undertrial in public view

A 19-year-old youth smuggled in guns after breaching the security at the Rohini court complex on Wednesday and shot dead an undertrial, who was being brought in by police. A policeman was also injured in the firing.

The youth, Mukesh, has been arrested. Police said the undertrial, Naveen Khatri (25), was arrested for the murder of Mukesh’s friend Sushil in 2010. According to police, Mukesh had meticulously planned the murder. He even found a way to sneak a gun inside the high-security court premises.

“There is a tea shop right outside the court, set against its wall. Mukesh wrapped a country-made firearm and a revolver in a polythene bag. On the pretext of having tea, he discreetly placed it on the iron grill around the court complex,” DCP (Outer) B S Jaiswal said.

He said Mukesh then stood in the queue of litigants at Gate No. 5 and entered the court, passing through door frame metal detectors. He underwent the mandatory physical security check as well. Once inside, he went to the spot where he had hidden his weapons, collected them and then waited for the police to bring in Khatri.

When Khatri arrived, Mukesh loaded his pistol — reportedly in full public view — and fired at least twice at him. After shooting, Mukesh ran towards the court building in a bid to escape. Constable Raj Kumar chased and nabbed him on the second floor. A revolver and a countrymade firearm were recovered from Mukesh.

“Khatri was shot in the back from close range. He was taken to BR Ambedkar Hospital where doctors declared him dead. A policeman who sustained a bullet injury in his leg was also admitted to the hospital. He is stable,” Jaiswal said. Khatri and Mukesh are from Baankner in Narela. Jaiswal said they are from rival gangs. Mukesh belongs to the “Ashwini gang”, whose leader was arrested last year.

“In 2009, Ashwini and his gang had killed Khatri’s uncle Dharmender. In 2010, Khatri and his aides killed Ashwini’s younger brother, Sushil. Mukesh was very close to Sushil and used to work as a conductor on the buses Sushil owned. Ashwini made Mukesh kill Khatri to avenge Sushil’s death. He also told Mukesh that Khatri would kill him once he was released from jail. A worried Mukesh planned to kill him,” Jaiswal said.

Hours after the incident, persons claiming to be Khatri’s relatives reached the police post inside the court premises. They wanted to know how weapons were brought inside the court premises.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/19yearold-sneaks-guns-inside-court-murders-undertrial-in-public-view/1077235/0

In global list of most expensive office locations, CP ranks No. 4

In its annual survey, global real estate consultant Cushman & Wakefield has named Connaught Place as world’s fourth most expensive office location, up one position from last year.

The report ranks locations across 63 countries to list the most expensive office destination across the world. London’s West End emerged as the world’s most expensive office market, while Rio de Janerio in Brazil captured the third position ahead of India, according to C&W report — Office Space Across the World 2013.

Connaught Place registered a growth of approximately 25 per cent in rental values over the last year, to charge Rs 403 per square feet per month. It is one of the oldest established office centres in India and is in proximity to other establishments like government organisations, trading centres and retail location, demand for quality office space has been high.

Fresh supply in Connaught Place is essentially due to redevelopments and renovations of existing buildings, which have been commanding premium and thus are instrumental in pushing the average rental values in this location northward, the report says.

Executive Managing Director (South Asia), Cushman & Wakefield, Sanjay Dutt said: “The new master plan for New Delhi by the Delhi Development Authority has not provisioned for any rapid growth of office space within the city, leaving very limited choice. Majority of the demand for office space is still being serviced by Connaught Place as the location has other support socio-political infrastructure. Limited quality corporate office space in Connaught Place has fuelled the northward march of the rental values.”

“The rental values of this location will remain high, but limited activities in the location on an ongoing basis is expected to keep values contained, notwithstanding the fact that location may have already reached peek pricing,” Dutt said.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-global-list-of-most-expensive-office-locations-cp-ranks-no.-4/1077237/0

Bank services in Mumbai hit as strike enters day 2

Majority of ATMs have dried up in the financial capital of Mumbai and banking operations across the city were hit on the second day of the general strike called by central trade unions for various demands. “A majority of ATMs have dried up while the (bank) branches are shut. Additionally, there has not been any cheque clearing as personnel from RBI too joined the strike.

It will take at least 2-3 working days to clear the backlog for banks”, said All India Bank Employees Association Vice President Vishwas Utagi. The strike witnessed near cent per cent participation by employees from banking and insurance sector in the financial hub, leaving their operations completely paralysed.

“We reiterate our demands, including the one for not allowing private sector participants into the fray for which we are holding the bandh”, Utagi said. Suburban railway, the city’s life line, functioned normally and road traffic remained unaffected, though there were fewer passengers using public transport. Flight operations at the Mumbai airport were also normal despite a section of airport unions declaring their support to the strike, an airport spokesperson said.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bank-services-in-mumbai-hit-as-strike-enters-day-2/1077712/

Public transport hit in Delhi due to nationwide strike

Commuters in the city today faced hardships as a section of auto-rickshaws and taxis remained off the road in support of the two-day nationwide strike called by 11 trade unions.

School children and office goers suffered the most as most auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers either refused or overcharged. Passengers at major railway stations and bus stands remained stranded or had to shell out more to reach their destinations.

“I had to pay Rs 180 for a ride from Moti Bag to Central Secretariat to an auto driver. The fare for the stretch in a normal day is around Rs 80,” said Ajeet Singh, a government official.

Five major auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have announced that they will join the strike to demand a hike in auto and taxi fares.

Although Metro services were not affected by the strike, bus services were partially hit by the strike as a number of bus unions, including a section of Delhi Transport Corporation] employees, have also extended support to the strike.

Long queues were seen at Metro stations and bus stands as they remained the only viable option for people to commute. “I had to stand in the queue at INA Metro station for around 45 minutes as most people decided to take the metro following the strike. By the time I reached office, I was late]by an hour,” said Shikha Tiwari who works at an airline company at Connaught Place.

To tackle the strike, Delhi government has cancelled leave of all DTC employees and asked senior officials of the corporation to be at bus depots from early morning to ensure asmooth running of the DTC bus service.

Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami had said that around 1,000 RTV (rural transport vehicles) and tourist buses will ply on DTC routes for the next two days.

“These buses have been allowed to ply on DTC routes under special service. The buses would display DTC route numbers and charge DTC fares,” he said.

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/public-transport-hit-in-delhi-due-to-nationwide-strike/1076949/0

Delhi unsafe for women, step in: Sheila writes to PM

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has written to the Prime Minister asking him to intervene in the functioning of Delhi Police. Dikshit, in her letter, cited the gangrape case to draw home the point that police has failed to ensure women’s safety in the capital.

According to sources, in the letter Dikshit complained about the lax security, apathetic attitude in policing and towards issues like security of women. The letter also states that no visible improvement in policing has been witnessed in the city in the past two months, despite assurances of enhanced security for women following the gangrape incident. Dikshit requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take the appropriate necessary steps.

Sources said in the letter, dated February 13, Dikshit also wrote about functioning of the security commission, which frames guidelines on maintaining law and order and suggested that its recommendations should be considered seriously. A source said Dikshit has written a similar letter to Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, asking him to take effective steps to improve policing in the city so that women feel secure.

At the Idea Exchange programme of The Indian Express last week, Dikshit had reiterated that police should be under state government’s control. During the interaction, she said except VVIP security, normal law and order policing should come under state government.

“I don’t think any state government can have the wherewithal to take on the security needs of the VVIPs and diplomats who live in Delhi. But where normal policing in Delhi is concerned, it should be with the state government. At the time of the gangrape, I raised certain issues like how a policeman can reach a person’s house in five minutes when a window is broken but took so long to reach this victim? Everybody is scared of going to the police station. Everybody is scared of picking up persons hurt on the roadside and taking them to the hospital because they are detained for six to eight hours,” Dikshit said at the Idea Exchange.

“I feel that a policeman should be perceived as a friend. Also, the equipment being used is not always appropriate. To patrol narrow lanes, they need motorcycles. There is no point having motorcycles and PCR vans in Lutyens’ Delhi and not patrolling the outer areas where these incidents happen,” she said.

Dikshit said her government has asked for control of traffic police and law and order — the services that concern the ordinary citizens. (With PTI)

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/delhi-unsafe-for-women-step-in-sheila-writes-to-pm/1075741/0

Police kill ‘robber’ in Rohini encounter

A 31-year-old man, wanted in nine cases, was gunned down in a police encounter in Rohini Sector-17, Outer Delhi, on Wednesday night. This is the second encounter reported in the capital in less than a month. Police said the man, identified as Mohan Kumar, was killed in retaliatory firing, after he and his associates fired at the police party. Though the encounter took place in a market, police claimed that there were no eyewitnesses as the market was shut at night. Police claimed that Mohan’s two associates, who were at the spot with him, managed to flee despite three police teams surrounding the vehicle in which the men were travelling in.

According to police, they received a tip-off about the whereabouts of these three while collecting inputs about criminals familiar with local topography. Police said Mohan, who previously lived in Lodhi Colony, had been involved in several cases in South district. Police received information that that Mohan was recently released from jail and has become active again.

“We got a tip-off that Mohan was coming to Rohini Sector 17 area from Shahbad Dairy to meet his associates. We were told that he would coming in an Hyundai i10. We dispatched teams to nab the accused. Initially, we had sent only one team but, later, two more teams, doing rounds in the same area, were called for help,” a senior police officer said.

“Three teams, comprising 15 police personnel were a part of the operation. Officers in four vehicles — a Gypsy, an Innova, an Esteem and a Wagon R— were posted to trap Mohan. The accused apparently got wind of the fact that police have laid a trap. So he changed his vehicle from i10 to a white Scorpio,” DCP (South) Chhaya Sharma said.

Police said they came to know of this change of plan through their informers. The white Scorpio, which belonged to Mohan’s brother, was spotted in Rohini around 11.45 pm.

When police signalled the car to stop, Mohan, who was in the driver’s seat sped away. He allegedly began to ram the police vehicles ahead of him and also opened fire. Police immediately relaitated and one of their shots punctured the Scorpio’s tyre.

“We were able to corner the Scorpio near the divider of Sector 16 and 17, but the accused kept firing from inside the car. We fired in retaliation and three bullets hit Mohan,” Sharma said. He was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries, she said. Police said while Mohan was unable to flee as he was on the driver’s seat, the other two accused managed to escape.

“There was a huge park adjacent to the road where the shootout occurred. Mohan’s associate got down from the car and ran towards the park and escaped,” police said. A 9 mm pistol and a country-made pistol were recovered from the car. Police said the gang had recently targeted the house of an elderly and decamped with valuables. A case was registered at the KN Katju Marg police station.

This is the second encounter in less than a month. A person was killed in an encounter in Pitampura on January 19, when a Meerut-based cattle lifting gang tried to evade police on the Outer Ring Road. A convicted criminal, say Police New Delhi:Police said Mohan Kumar, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Rohini Sector-17, Outer Delhi, late Wednesday night was booked in nine cases, including that of kidnapping, robbery and several cases under Excise Act.

He was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl in Mongolpuri in 2006. He was released from prison in May 2012. According to police, his six brothers too have several cases of robbery, burglary and theft registered against them in Delhi and NCR. Police said Mohan was in his brother’s Scorpio at the time of the encounter in Rohini. Police said Mohan made some contacts inside the jail and plotted to commit robberies and burglaries once they were released from prison. Police said they received information that Mohan was getting involved in criminal activities again after his release. ENS

Source: hhttp://www.indianexpress.com/news/police-kill–robber–in-rohini-encounter/1074534/0

‘Drunk’ men assault colony residents, cop

A brother-sister duo and a Delhi Police constable were assaulted by four men in New Ashok Nagar, East Delhi, on Tuesday morning. Eyewitnesses said the men were drunk and got into a fight with the brother for no reason.

Neeraj Kumar, a resident of Sonepat, was arrested from the spot. Police are looking for the others.In his statement to police, the brother said he was driving in to his colony when four men signalled him to stop the car. When he slowed down, the men banged their fist on the bonnet of the car and asked him to come out.

“As I came out of the car to ask them what was wrong, the accused punched my face. Before I could react, three of them held my hands and one of them started to punch me. When my sister came out of the car to rescue me, they slapped her too,” he told police.

After the duo cried for help, people gathered and overpowered the men. “The moment the crowd came, me and my sister sat in the car and left,” the complaint said. In the meantime, the beat constable, Mohit, reached the spot. Eyewitnesses told police that Kumar also got into a scuffle with a passerby. The beat constable, who tried to intervene, was also beaten up by the accused.

One of the men, an eyewitness told police, picked a board lying on the roadside and smashed it on the head of the constable.Lekhraj, who was present on the spot, said: “The accused entered into a scuffle without any reason. They were all heavily drunk.”

A case for attacking government employee on duty and damaging public property was registered against the men. Kumar has been sent to 14-day judicial custody, police said.

Source:http://www.indianexpress.com/news/-drunk–men-assault-colony-residents-cop/1073284/0