Anti Corruption Council of India Trust v. Government of NCT of Delhi & Anr.

1. This Public Interest Litigation has been preferred with the following prayers:- “a) Pass directions to the Respondent no 1 and 2 to deploy and increase police forces on the streets and roads which are prone to crimes or illegal activities. b) Pass directions to the centre to consider the amendment with regard to punishment of offences like snatching, dacoity, robbery and theft as has been laid down in the Indian Penal 2019:DHC:6918-DB Code. c) Pass directions to the Respondent No 1 and 2 to create Anti- Snatching team at every police station and the district deputy commissioner of police should review the team's performance every week. d) Pass directions to the Respondent No 2, to instruct local police officer of each concerned police stations to maintain the list of those who are out on bail for being accused of the offences like snatching, dacoity, robbery and theft and accordingly monitor them. e) Pass directions to the respondent no 1 and 2 to deploy police officials at the entry/exit gates of the society flats and apartments and furthermore police patrolling during days and night should be made more frequent in the crime prone areas. f) Pass any other directions/order/relief as this Hon'ble court deems fit and necessary in the interest of justice and equity.”

2. We have heard learned counsel for the petitioner at length who has submitted that incidents like chain snatching, dacoity, robbery, theft, etc. have increased and hence additional police force should be deployed on streets and roads of Delhi. Counsel for the petitioner has taken this Court to various Annexures viz. P-1, P-2 and P-8. These annexures reveal the data of total number of such crimes registered and recorded. On the basis of the aforesaid data, it is requested that additional police force should be deployed by the concerned respondent authorities on streets and roads as prayed in prayer (a) in this writ petition.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent submits that they have already deployed the necessary police force. Nonetheless, they are ready to treat this writ petition as a representation and will take the necessary steps. Even otherwise also, the respondents are holding periodical meetings on the issues in question and there are due deliberations taking place on how to reduce the offences in the city of Delhi. The whole city of Delhi has been divided into various zones and accordingly the police force has been deployed in various zones at different localities.

4. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case and also looking to the data which has been given by the petitioner, we hereby direct the respondents to treat this writ petition as a representation and look into the annexures annexed to this writ petition, especially, which are at Annexures P-1, P-2 and P-8. Necessary police force shall be deployed as per number of offences registered in a particular area, also a special watch team or a special squad may be deployed as per requirement. The same shall be arranged by the high ranking police administrative officers. If there are large number of vacancies lying with Delhi Police, the respondents shall take requisite steps to fill up the same.

5. With these observations, the writ petition is hereby disposed of.

CHIEF JUSTICE C.HARI SHANKAR, J DECEMBER 11, 2019 kks