New Delhi, March 15 The Delhi Police has denied claims of political interference in the release of criminals after a video of an inspector making such remarks surfaced on social media.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Akanksha Yadav clarified on Sunday that the officer's comments were "irresponsible" and did not reflect the official position of the force.
The officer, identified as Inspector (Law and Order) Rajeev, was the officiating SHO of Bharat Nagar at the time. He has since been removed from his post and transferred to the District Lines as part of disciplinary action.
"A video circulating on social media contains certain statements attributed to a police officer alleging that criminals involved in narcotics and other offences are released on the directions of the public representatives. It is clarified that during a public interaction, some irresponsible comments were made by Inspector Rajeev, which were not based on facts," the DCP said in a statement.
The statement further noted that his comments were made in a personal capacity and do not represent the Delhi Police.
"Delhi Police has taken cognisance of this gross misconduct, and strict disciplinary action has been initiated against him. He has been transferred to the District Lines and removed from the charge of SHO with immediate effect. Appropriate action will be taken against him in accordance with the established rules and regulations," the statement read.
The DCP emphasised that the Delhi Police functions strictly as per law and on the merits of each case without any external interference. She added that such conduct does not reflect the professional standards of the Delhi Police, which maintains a zero tolerance policy towards crime.
In the video, the inspector is seen surrounded by a group of women who had approached him with a complaint regarding drug peddling in their locality. The officer is heard telling the complainants to take their grievances to the "CM and the MLA."
He is heard claiming that even when the police apprehend criminals, the accused are released following interventions from public representatives. "We catch them, but they go to the CM, they go to the MLA... and they get (release) orders from there. Our hands are tied," the officer says in the video.
The video, which was also shared by Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, shows the officer further suggesting that the complainants should hold their protest outside the residences of these representatives rather than at the police station.