This Article is From Jun 09, 2011

Reconsider recording calls from politicians, says court

Reconsider recording calls from politicians, says court
Mumbai: "Consider rethink on 'odd' circular"- that's the message to the state government from the Bombay High Court.

Last November, the state government issued a circular to all police stations in the state not to note down calls made by politicians or their aides to police stations. Not only was this a clear infringement on police jurisdiction, but given that it came just after the state government had been bitterly humiliated in the Supreme Court, it was clearly a motivated move by politicians who were keen to save their skin.

In fact, when former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh's PA made a call to a police station in Vidarbha to intervene in criminal investigations into charges against an MLA's family member, little did he know that his phone call had made it to the station diary that police stations maintain. Station diaries are important tools where every call, every visit and everything related to the police station is noted. According to the police manual, the main objective of a station diary is to aid investigation. It is also an important tool in maintaining transparency.

Vilasrao Deshmukh's aide's call cost the state govt Rs. 25 lakh as the Supreme Court slammed the state and dismissed its petition.

The Bombay High court has now asked the state to take another look at this controversial circular. Calling the circular 'odd', the court has said the station diary is an important tool for any police station and such a circular hampers transparency. The state government now has time till June 15 to file a reply.
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