Anna released; refuses to leave jail, firm on his demand

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare was tonight released from judicial custody but he refused to leave the jail premises unless he was allowed to go on fast at Jai Prakash Narayan Park with his conditions.

"Anna Hazare has been released but he is not coming out of the jail as he wants to go straight to J P park and start his protest there," Manish Sisodia, Anna's close aide, told mediapersons after he was also released this evening.

Mr Hazare is now sitting in the office of Director General (Tihar) Neeraj Kumar and waiting for the government's response.

Mr Sisodia, however, denied to having received any information about sending Anna outside Delhi.

As hundreds of supporters gathered outside Tihar jail carrying candles, Mr Sisodia continued the protest with them there itself.

He said Anna has requested that the movement should not die down.

Mr Hazare was sent to seven days judicial custody this afternoon after he was arrested by Delhi police for defying prohibitory orders.

Security was stepped up at J P park immediately after Anna put forth his demand. His supporters started reaching the spot after which police had to detain them.

Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan released from detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Gandhian Anna Hazare's close aides Kiran Bedi and Shanti Bhushan were released this evening, few hours after they were taken into preventive detention for allegedly defying prohibitory orders.

Ms Bedi, a former IPS officer, and Mr Bhushan, senior lawyer, were taken into custody when they arrived at Rajghat to participate in the protest announced by Mr Hazare.

Mr Hazare along with seven others was sent to seven days judicial custody by a Special Magistrate following their arrest under Section 107/151 of the CrPC early this morning.
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This is second freedom struggle: Anna after detention

New Delhi, Aug 16 : Asking the people to continue the struggle against corruption, Gandhian Anna Hazare today said his arrest must not affect in anyway.

"Do not let the struggle against corruption cease due to my arrest," Anna told countrymen after he was detained here much before he could start his fast.

Calling it the second freedom struggle, Anna urged his supporters to give eight days for the nation. He also appealed to them to lead a peaceful protest.

"Satyagraha is all about penance to our own self, which is being felt by others. Do not harm others. No public or private property should be destroyed," he said.

He added that this has shown yet another face of the corrupt people who are not serious about eradicating the menace.

His message was shown to the nation through various news channels and links on "youtube" portal.

The anti-corruption crusader were detained around 0735 hours from Mayur Vihar. Soon after, his close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi, Shanti Bhushan, Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia courted arrest from Rajghat area. They all were taken to Special Court in Civil Lines area.

Police said Anna was taken into preventive custody.

Meanwhile, more than 50 of his supporters were displaced from near Rajghat and Jai Prakash Narayan Park, and were taken to Chhattrasal Stadium for further legal proceedings. A similar number of people were held last night also.

Anna along with his supporters and associates had to begin his hunger strike at JPN park beginning 1000 hrs. However, as the police had denied him permission to use the venue, it was likely that the crusader and his brigade would court arrest.
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Anna's supporters rounded up by police outside JP park

New Delhi, Aug 15: Around 50 supporters of Gandhian Anna Hazare were detained from outside Jai Prakash Narayan Memorial Park, the venue which was earlier allotted to the social activist for his fast scheduled to begin tomorrow.

After Team Anna denied to agree to six of the 22 conditions laid by the police for holding the hunger strike, police cancelled the permission and imposed Section 144 of CrPC at the spot.

The people detained had accumulated outside the park to participate in the movement. Police displaced them and sent them to Chhatrasal Stadium.

Addressing mediapersons earlier today, Mr Hazare had announced that irrespective of any obstacle created by the government he would go on the fast against Corruption.

Mr Hazare is starting his hunger strike in the capital from tomorrow to protest against the government's failure to bring in a strong Lokpal Bill after rejecting the version introduced by it in Parliament on August 4.

Anna to go on fast tomorrow, calls for "Jail Bharo Aandolan"

New Delhi, Aug 15: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said he will go on fast on Lokpal issue from tomorrow irrespective of hurdles created by government and gave a clarion call to citizens to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" against corruption.

"I will go to Jai Prakash Narain Park tomorrow morning. If I will be stopped, I will sit there itself and ask police where to go. If they will take me to jail, I will fast there and if they release me, I will again sit at the same place and continue with the fast," Mr Hazare said while addressing mediapersons here.

He called for a revolution to "fight against the government and change the system".

The statement comes on a day when Delhi police denied him permission to hold fast tomorrow after the organisers refused to agree on all the conditions laid down by the police.

Anna expressed regret over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address today on the occasion of Independence day and said, "I was so upset to hear him. I have always believed that he is an honest person but today he also spoke the language of (Telecom Minister) Kapil Sibal. He also said the Parliament will decide on the Lokpal Bill." He stressed that he has full faith in the Parliament but only if the right Bill is placed in it. "Lok Sabha is the temple of democracy. But when such corrupt ministers reach there, it is its insult. Send the right Bill to the Parliament," he added.

"I have been asked that would Jan Lokpal curb corruption 100 per cent. This is nothing less then an effort to stall the process. I challange that if the Jan Lokpal will not be able to curb at least more than 60 per cent corruption, I will work at (Mr) Sibal's home to fill water," he further said.

The Gandhian continuously posed a question to the government as well as people that has the country actually achieved independence.

"Is this freedom? Even after 64 years of independence, the corruption level has only gone up. Don't we know about democracy? Does democracy means that get elected for five years and then only mint money?" he asked. Anna claimed that the government has lost its balance in the run for money.

Referring to the youth who has joined him in his movement, he said they were here as they were angry. "Today they have to pay for even their rights. So they are angry." Mr Hazare further said he feels so depressed to see poor people's condition in the country. "Initially I felt I should commit suicide. But I thought what example will it be for today's youth.

I would not let my spirits down. We wills surely establish a clean nation." He gave a clarion call to people to go for "Jail Bharo Andolan" and said going to jail in this way is a matter of pride. "We will go to jail and fight from there." He,however, noted that it should be non-violent.

Out of the 22 conditions laid down by the police, Team Anna did not agree to six of them. They were ending the protest on the third day, restricting the number of agitators to 5,000, parking of only 50 cars and motorcycles near the venue, no erection of shamiana on roads, no use of loudspeakers after 2100 hours and only government medical observer for Anna.

Government nervous, conditions unconstitutional: Santosh Hegde

New Delhi, Aug 15: Santosh Hegde, the former Karnataka Lokayukta and a close aide of Gandhian Anna Hazare, today claimed that Government is feeling nervous ahead of the anti-corruption crusader's hunger strike and so is imposing "unconstitutional" conditions.

The statement came in the wake of Delhi police denying permission to Mr Hazare to hold his fast on Lokpal issue tomorrow after the organisers refused to give an undertaking regarding agreement on all the conditions laid down by the police including ending the protest on the third day and restricting the number of agitators to 5,000.

"Why is the Government scared of Anna? Police is following orders from higher ups. This denial is signal of nervousness in the Government," Mr Hegde said while talking to a national news channel.

He added that the conditions laid down by the police were "unconstitutional". Legal remedy is the only solution for Team Anna, he added.

In run up to his fast that was scheduled to be held at Jai Prakash Narain Park, the Gandhian caught administration in surprise by making an unscheduled visit to Rajghat. Along with hundreds of his supporters, he prayed in front of the memorial of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi for more than two hours.

As the crowds poured in at the spot, Delhi police also had to reach there to keep a check on the security conditions.

Sources said Mr Hazare visited Rajghat to pray for peace and gather strength ahead of his fast tomorrow.

Anna prays at Rajghat after denied permission to fast

New Delhi, Aug 15 : A couple of hours after social activist Anna Hazare was today denied permission to hold his fast tomorrow on the Lokpal issue at the venue proposed by police, the Gandhian visited Rajghat to "pray for peace".

Anna reached Rajghat at around 1800 hrs. His supporters said he went there to spend some time at peace in front of his idol, the Father of the Nation, and added that the plan to go there was made suddenly.

Anna sat quietly with his hands folded and eyes closed on the grounds in front of the memorial.

As soon as people came to know about Anna's presence at Rajghat, crowds continued to pour in to see the anti-corruption crusader. Hundreds of people reached the place and sat around the praying activist.

From here, Anna is likely to leave for Constitution Club near Reserve Bank of India to address the nation at 1900 hrs.

Team Anna meets Delhi top-cop

New Delhi, Aug 8 : Civil society members today met Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta to discuss the venue of Gandhian Anna Hazare's proposed fast against corruption from August 16.

The representatives included RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, lawyer Prashant Bhushan and Manish Sisodia.

"The Police Commissioner has assured that he would discuss the five proposed venues of the fast with other senior officers and get back to us within the next two days," a statement issued by India Against Corruption, an NGO organising the fast, said.

Mr Gupta has also assured that if any other alternate venue is proposed by the Police, the space would be well connected and within three km radius of Jantar Mantar.

The five places suggested by the civil society for holding the dharna are Boat Club, Rajghat, Ramlila Grounds, Shahidi Park near ITO and a stretch near Ashoka Road.

No indication from police to Team Anna regarding fast

New Delhi, Aug 1 : Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare today said Delhi police had not replied to his application seeking permission for a hunger strike against corruption at the Jantar Mantar here from August 16.

"We sent an application to the police commissioner seeking permission for the fast but have got no response. There has been no formal letter denying us the permission, from anyone," Mr Hazare told newspersons here.

"If they don't let us sit on fast, I will go to jail," he said and added, "This is India's second struggle for freedom and I will fight against corruption till my last breath." The Gandhian's aide, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal, added that as they have not got any rejection letter, they are going ahead with the fast.

On July 28, Delhi police had said prohibitory orders banning any gathering of five or more people will be imposed in places of Delhi, including Jantar Mantar area, during the monsoon session of Parliament that began today.

The prohibition was withdrawn from Jantar Mantar and India Gate areas the next day.

Destruction of Evidence...or Justice?

New Delhi, Jul 17:Evidence is one of the most important requirement to send a criminal behind bars and achieve justice, but if the same is eliminated by the its "securer" then the act becomes nothing less than "evidence of abetment".

The world is observing International Day for Criminal Justice today which aims at ending of impunity for the gravest crimes known to humankind.

The situation of law and order in India sometimes seems a little dicey having examples enough to negate the definition of an ideal police officer who has the prime responsibility to provide safety and security to citizens. Be it Jessica Lal murder case or Priyadarshini Mattoo rape and murder case, suspicion has been raised often on police officials for their involvement in destruction of evidence.

"Police are investigators of crime and it is their duty to lead the system till the culprit is punished. Barring a few instances, they do best of their ability to link all the evidences to prove the guilty in the case. If they do, they do it for obvious reasons like pressure from seniors, political pressure, an some ulterior motive or sometimes out of bribery.

There is no straitjacket formula for it," an Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on condition of anonymity said.

In Priyadarshini Mattoo rape-cum-murder case, when a 25-year-old law student was raped and murdered by Santosh Kumar, son of a Police Inspector-General, the Additional Sessions Judge, while delivering the judgement after 11 years, came down heavily on the role of police while delivering the judgement, almost after 11 years. He said the police attempted to assist the accused during the investigation and trial by creating false evidence and false defense for him.

In a similar case/instance, it took more than seven years to punish Manu Sharma and his friends for killing innocent Jessica not only because of the witness turning hostile but also due to playing with the evidence. After a probe and disclosure by the case's investigating officer, it was suggested that certain police officials conspired with CFSL ballistic expert Roop Singh to replace one of the empty cartridges including the one that killed Jessica.

"Destruction of evidence is a crime, irrespective of who does it and for what purpose. When done by police or investigating agencies, it poses a serious threat to the sanctity of our Criminal Justice Administration System. Though practised as a routine, it comes to public knowledge only in few cases which are investigated and highlighted in media or involve 'influential' people," Anant Kumar Asthana, Panel Lawyer, Delhi Legal Services Authority, said.

There are legal and procedural safeguards in place to reduce the scope of tampering with evidence by investigating agency (agencies), but given the corrupt, unprofessional and Non-independent character of Indian Police System, these safeguards and rules are routinely flouted. This directly influences the result of criminal trial.

Justice becomes the casualty and people who have already suffered due to a crime face another tragedy.

Former president A P J Abdul Kalam said while delivering the valedictory address of the 150th year celebrations of Chennai Metropolitan Police in Chennai, "...The police force should be friendly, corruption-free, responsible, and tolerant to ambiguity and pressure, caring for the people with a sense of compassion and empathy...." It becomes unfortunate when sometimes policemen are found indulging in dubious and unlawful activities.

However, we cannot blame the whole affiliation based on a few incidents we have on record. "What is important is the trend and the proportion in which it is being detected.

You will find such a group of people in our society who do not abide by the norms entrusted to them; similar is the case here. You cannot accuse the entire fraternity on finding wrongdoing by a few people. It is a case of exception rather than a rule," Former Police Commissioner Radhe Shyam Gupta said.

Legal experts feel that strengthening internal intelligence, ensuring persecution of those found involved, improving the public-police ratio, introducing administrative reforms in policing system, taking police out from the control of government and bringing it under Judiciary, and thus, letting police have its autonomy , can help in eliminating this practice.

Are you being stalked? Call Delhi Police's new helpline

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Delhi Police today launched an anti-stalking helpline for women to help them against the menace.

After the success of its anti-obscene calls cell, an initiative against obscene calls, the Delhi Police has taken this decision to help women in Delhi from such anti-social elements.

Various forms of media including newspaper and radio today carry the police advertisements regarding the helpline passing on the message ''Do not bear this silently!'' to the womenfolk.

The advertisements adds, ''Our anti-obscene calls cell has redressed 14301 complaints so far. We intend helping you against stalkers too.''

Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal announced it here yesterday and said, ''We intend to start an anti-stalking helpline from May 15, which we had set up last month. We hope that the helpline would go a long way in helping women against stalkers.''

Women can call the helpline by dialling 1096. They may also call the number 27894455, send their complaint through fax on 27292523 or send an SMS to 9911135446. They may also send an email regarding their complaint to acp-sit-dl@nic.in .

2 held for carrying live bullets at Finance Ministry

New Delhi, May 13 (UNI) Police have arrested two people for allegedly carrying ammunition in the high-security North Block area.

The duo, identified as Mukesh Kumar and Moti Lal, were arrested by security officials in the North Block containing the Home and Finance Ministries with two live cartridges, police said.

A police official said the accused, hailing from Rajasthan, were trying to enter the office of Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena to invite him for a wedding.

''They were caught at Gate number two of the North Block at around 1430 hrs carrying two nine mm bullets in bag held by Kumar,'' the official said.

On interrogation, both the men could not produce a licence. They told the police that they had visited Mr Meena earlier in the day also but could not meet him.
''They were unable to explain the reason for carrying bullets also,'' the official noted.

Further investigation in the matter was on.

Delhi Govt discusses proposal for Delhi Police (Amendment) Bill '10

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) The Delhi Government today held a conference to evolve a consensus on the Legislative Proposal for the Delhi Police (Amendment) Bill-2010.

The proposal has been made to implement the direction of the Supreme Court in the matter of Prakash Singh and others vs Central Government and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit stressed on the need of the police to be a people-friendly force.

''The people must have a sense of confidence with the police,'' she said.

A spokesperson from Chief Minister's Office said there was a broad consensus in the conference on transfer of traffic matters and other non-core functions to the city government, implementation of social legislation by the police, term of police commissioner and others functioning of Screening Committee and Scrutiny Committee, Police Appellate Authority in each district and Thana Committees to be given statutory status.

''It was organised mainly to seek the views of eminent personalities in the field of civil administration, police administration, judiciary system and other groups on the proposal,'' he said.

The conference was attended by a number of Delhi Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta, Principal Secretary (Home) G S Patnaik, Secretary (Law), Home Secretary, Government of India, Retd Justice of Supreme Court Arijit Pasayat, retired bureaucrats, Head of Departments of Revenue, Transport Department, senior
officers from Civil and Police Organisations, Commissioner of Police Y S
Dadwal and representatives of RWAs.

The views and suggestions of the participants will be compiled and collated and the same will be sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for taking a view on the proposal, the spokesperson added.

Delhi police to establish Anti Stalker Cell

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Extending their efforts to safeguard women in Delhi, the Delhi Police is going to launch an Anti Stalker Cell soon.

Talking to mediapersons here today, Delhi Commissioner of Police Y S Dadwal said the scope of the Anti Obscene Calls Cell in Crime branch will be expanded also to address complaints of stalking.

''Complaints of women in Delhi being harassed or stalked are often received by the police. The cell will record and take action to such calls,'' the Delhi police chief said.

He further said the helpline number, e-mail address and fax numbers will soon be declared through advertisements in newspaper and other media.

Referring to the Anti Obscene Calls Cell, he said the cell had received 12333 calls last year out of which 12103 were redressed to the satisfaction of the caller.

''This year also, the cell has recieved a tremendous response and so far, 14171 calls have been received,'' the Commissioner said.

Terror threat: Dadwal claims police cautious of its duties

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Close on the heels of advisories issued by some countries to their citizens in Delhi regarding possible terror threat, Delhi Police Commissioner today claimed that the police ''has been doing its job seriously irrespective of issuance of any such advisories''.

The Commissioner, Y S Dadwal, said at a press conference here the police has always been cautious and all kind of alerts were always put in place.

''This is our job and we are doing it seriously,'' he said.

He was replying to a question regarding advisories issued by the US, the UK and Australia to their nationals warning them of possible terrorist strikes in Delhi and other parts of India.

Mr Dadwal stated that every country has a right to talk to their citizens and so the three nations issued the warnings to them.

''Our motto is to have safe and secured Delhi. The Delhi Police has always been taking various steps required to maintain that,'' he asserted.

Referring to their anti-terror measures, he said they were being taken in full vigour. ''Our activities, including mock drills, checking of guest houses and cyber cafes, meetings with all stake-holders of Eyes and Ears scheme, anti-sabotage checks, deployment of QRTs, hit teams, morchas and machaans, are being fully taken care of,'' he said.

The Commissioner informed mediapersons that recently the police had visited various countries including China, Australia, the UK and others, ahead of the Commonwealth Games preparations.

''The meetings were successful. The arrangements and security planning put in place during trial events held recently in the Capital were well appreciated by the participant nations and it was conveyed to us that the system was as good as anywhere in the world,'' he said.

On Wednesday, the US issued an advisory to its citizens in India asking them to avoid visiting congested areas of Delhi after increased indications of terrorists planning attacks.

The advisory issued by Australia asked its nationals to exercise a high degree of caution in India at this time because of the high risk of terror activities by the militant groups.

Canada had alsp issued warnings about possible attacks against markets frequented by foreigners in New Delhi.

According to these warnings, specific and credible information suggested that markets including Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Mehrauli and Sarojini Nagar could be targeted by terrorists in the coming days or weeks.

''We strongly advise Australians to minimise their presence in market areas of New Delhi,'' the Australian Advisory said.

Delhi prepared for CWG, nothing left to be addressed: Dadwal

New Delhi, Apr 23 (UNI) Delhi Commissioner of Police Y S Dadwal today said the city police was ''totally prepared for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and nothing is left to be addressed.''

''I categorically state that the Delhi police is totally prepared for the Commonwealth Games and all required arrangements are in place,'' Mr Dadwal said, while briefing mediapersons here.

He cited the number of test events held in the capital before the Games and said they all went perfectly without any security issues.

''Various major sporting events were organised in Delhi including IPL cricket matches recently. The analysis puts into perspective our security preparedness for the Games,'' the Commissioner said.

He explained that the security arrangements for these events were not restricted to providing security at the stadia only but also meant to secure the places of stay of participants, team and technical officials besides airport and routes to reach the game venues.

Athlete protection also involved transformational security and securing the places of visits of the participants. This also involved covering the media briefings and visitor management and control at the stadia and hotels, he said.

''Security was also provided during the practice sessions of the teams and the same level of security was extended to the participants as was done for the main event,'' Mr Dadwal said.

In addition, elaborate traffic circulation plans were also put in place, he noted and advised the general public to support the police and play a role of responsible citizen at least during the traffic movement.

Reacting to some media reports regarding security arrangements for the Games, the Commissioner appealed that ''It is better to publish the report after confirming from us because they go to world press and create apprehensions about security arrangements made here.''

Mayapuri lapse: A question mark on CWG preparation

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) As the city government spends crores to upgrade infrastructure for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, it will have to ensure that accidents like the recent radiation leak in Mayapuri do not mar the Games.

Panic had gripped Mayapuri Industrial area on the night of April 8 when, after coming in contact with a material, scrap dealer Deepak Jain and four of his employees showed allergic reactions and started vomiting.

The skins of two of them turned completely black. They also had burn injuries and rashes all over their bodies.

The material causing the damage was identified as Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope of Cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous and grey metal. Cobalt is used in making colours and pigments for jewellery and paints.

In an interaction with UNI, Suneet Chopra, senior CPI(M) leader said, ''The material has been lying there for a long time. What proper screening is being done to
save other people from a similar accident?''

''If we leave the situation like this, we would not know how many shipments are still lying in the area,'' he added.

He also said the government should now institute a commission of eminent scientists to probe the incident.

''Those affected are not likely to survive since cobalt radiation has no known cure,'' he felt.

The accident has certainly raised apprehensions of the common people regarding security. With the Commonwealth Games approaching fast, Delhi cannot afford
to have such lapses.

Scrap dealers handle hazardous chemicals everyday and Mayapuri, also a site for disposal of military waste, employs lakhs of such dealers.

Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Delhi, president Ramesh Khanna told UNI, ''It is all right to spend crores over roads and bridges but what about the
safety of people and tourists during the Games?''

''The hospital which was the source of the radioactive chemical and the government, which was responsible for security lapse, are both to be held accountable,''
he said.

Cobalt is known to have strong penetrative power which can cross anything but lead. Cabins storing Cobalt are thus made of lead.

''But junk dealers are illiterate and uneducated people. They must be taught the proper way of handling such substances,'' Mr Khanna added.

The area has been gripped by panic and many shopkeepers are avoiding to go there.
''We came to know about the radiations, so we are scared to enter the area now,'' Dinesh Goel, a Mayapuri-based printing press owner said.

1 critical among 5 affected by radioactive radiation

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) Condition of the scrap dealer, who along with other four others was exposed to radioactive material in Mayapuri area of west Delhi, is stated to be critical due to deficiency of blood cells.

The scrap dealer, Deepak Jain, was admitted to Apollo Hospital after he was exposed to radiation from Cobalt-60 that was kept at his shop, hospital officials said today.

They stated that Mr Jain's bone marrow was significantly suppressed leading to reduced blood cells.

''He is presently in the ICU and a multi disciplinary team of doctors is monitoring his progress. His condition is serious,'' an official said.

Panic had gripped Mayapuri Industrial area last night when after coming in contact with the material, Jain and four of his employees showed allergic reactions and started vomiting. The skins of two of them turned completely black. They also had burn injuries and rashes all over their bodies, a senior police official said.

He said a team of experts was sent to the incident site last night and this morning, who collected and isolated the ''mysterious shining object'' from the shop in the congested industrial area and sent it for further investigations.

''The team included scientists from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS). They have identified the material as Cobalt-60,'' the official noted.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of Cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous and grey metal. It is used in making colours and pigments for jewellery and paints.

The experts scanned the whole area also to check if there was any other source of radiation emission in the vicinity.

After the incident had come to light, police cordoned off the area around the shop as a precautionary measure.

All the injured were sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Reportedly, the scrap material was brought from a city hospital and was kept in an almirah inside the shop.

Police suspect that more people residing or working in that area could have been affected.

Investigations into the incident were on.

Police tighten noose on robbers; 10 held, 66 cases solved

New Delhi, Feb 11 (UNI) The Delhi police have arrested 10 people, allegedly involved in various kinds of thefts, from different parts of the city in last 24 hours and claimed to have solved 66 cases of robbery and burglary.

Police today informed that arms including pistols, daggers and knives, live cartridges and stolen material like motorcycles have been recovered from their possession.

''Three motorcycle-borne robbers Virender, alias Viru, Daulat Ram, alias Kalia, and Himmat were arrested from Keshav Puram area, solving four cases of robbery while
one Deepak Kumar (22) was held from Model Town area involved in 19 cases of snatching and auto-theft,'' DCP (North-west) N S Bundela said.

One English pistol, one country-made pistol, one dagger and one stolen motorcycle have been recovered from their possession.

In yet another raid by Central District police, three burglars, who used to target locked houses, were apprehended from near New Delhi railway station.

''With the arrest of Anul (27), Mohd Tuhin alias Twin (24) and Ranjeet (24), 10 cases of burglary and house theft have been solved,'' DCP (Central) Jaspal Singh said.

He said six mobile phones, one gas cylinder, as many wrist watch, ladies clothes and house breaking equipment have been seized from them.

Referring to the burglary incidents in south Delhi, DCP (south) H G S Dhaliwal informed that three accused actively involved in about 33 cases reported recently in various parts of Delhi have been nabbed.

''Shakeel Ahmed, alias Shakila (21), Anil Giri (21) and Usmaan (21), who used to stay in Delhi under garb of petty jobs of welders and labourers, have been nabbed,'' he said.

One pistol, two live cartridges, two knives, one motorcycle and some house breaking equipment have been recovered from their possession, he added.

He noted that they used to dispose off all the stolen jewellery to various receivers of stolen property having their jewellery shops in Badaun city of Uttar Pradesh.

2009: Crime graph shows no sign of recurrence in Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) Despite having all kinds of latest and most advanced facilities, criminals still find it easy to dodge the police and take liberty to commit crime at will in the national capital.

In view of the upcoming Commonwealth Games in October next year, several new police stations, increased police personnel, latest weapons, vehicles and other security equipment were added in the paraphernalia of the Delhi Police.

However, it seems that the criminals are running ahead of the police as the crime rate has increased this year in comparison to last year.

The most problematic among all the criminals were auto-lifters as more than 27,000 cases of motor theft were recorded during the year, which, according to the police, was 25 per cent higher than 2008 and constitutes about 15 per cent of total crimes committed in Delhi.

A senior police official told UNI, ''Motor Vehicle theft is the biggest crime in the capital that the police have been dealing with. We have found a significant increase in such cases this year.''

The Delhi Police also took several steps to reduce the motor theft cases like sending out letters to vehicle owners requesting them to install security gadgets in their vehicles.

To help them further, the police would also provide them the contact numbers of dealers of such devices in their area.

''Police alone can not prevent vehicle thefts as there are a huge number of vehicles in the city. People have to invest some money in this,'' Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal had said in a press conference held earlier this year.

In addition to the motor vehicle thefts, crimes committed by biker gangs also remained a major concern for the Delhi Police.

Incidents related to such crimes were reported from all parts of the National Capital, mainly South Extension, Saket, Madangiri, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Sangam Vihar, Dwarka, Dabri, Punjabi Bagh, Rajouri Garden, Ashok Vihar, Maurya Enclave, Keshavpuram, Rani Bagh, New Delhi, Seelampur, Bhajanpura, Shakarpur and Mandawali.

These gangs were involved in snatching and robbery as, according to the police, around 14,000 calls received till November 30 were only about snatching by biker gangs.

Out of 14,000, around 800 cases were recorded, which was lower than last year that saw 870 cases.

On an average, the biker gangs struck twice every day and have killed four people so far this year.

The officials informed that a special training programme was introduced at Chawla training camp this year to train all the new recruits in handling the biker gangs.

Likewise, the Delhi Police also started a motorcycle verification campaign. Within five months of its initiation, around three lakh motorcycles were verified. The official noted that due to verification, many criminals were also identified resulting in solving of many cases.

Referring to the heinous and non-heinous crimes committed in the city this year, a senior police official said there was a significant rise in such cases. Total number of cases of heinous crime reported till November 30 was 1278, as compared to last year's 518, while non-heinous crime were 43,414 as against last year's 38,765.

As there were claims made by the police about the reduction in crime figures, many argue that police do not register FIRs to present a rosy picture.

Earlier this year, a sort of debate was started in media about the registration of FIRs and many people expressed their concerns over it.

Police have also devised other ways to show a downward trend in the crime graph as it has started treating the crime of loot under section 382 of IPC which deals with theft cases instead of heinous crimes.