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In a important bid that could person wider implications for constabulary surveillance practices successful Karnataka, the Karnataka State Police Complaints Authority (KSPCA) has directed the closure of the rowdy expanse maintained against Sunil Kumar alias ‘Silent Sunil’, citing nonaccomplishment by the constabulary to comply with procedural safeguards laid down by the Karnataka High Court.
The bid was passed by a three-member seat headed by chairperson N.K. Sudhindra Rao, on with subordinate Mohan Kumar Danappa and subordinate caput Devajyoti Ray.
Silent Sunil, a nonmigratory of Hebbal, had approached the authorization seeking the removal of his sanction from the rowdy register. He argued that contempt being acquitted successful aggregate transgression cases and having nary transgression cases presently pending against him, the constabulary continued to classify him arsenic a rowdy-sheeter, causing stigma and affecting his idiosyncratic liberty.
Procedural lapses
During the proceedings, the constabulary cited respective transgression cases registered against him since 1996, including cases relating to murder, effort to murder, extortion, rioting, conspiracy and offences nether the Arms Act, 1959. However, the authorization noted that astir of the cases had ended successful acquittal, portion immoderate had been stayed oregon quashed by the courts.
The authorization observed that earlier opening oregon continuing a rowdy sheet, the constabulary are required to travel owed process, including the postulation of credible material, issuance of notice, support by competent authorities, periodic reappraisal each 2 years and adherence to principles of earthy justice.
The authorization recovered that the constabulary had failed to nutrient records demonstrating compliance with these requirements. It besides noted the lack of documents showing that the rowdy expanse had been reviewed periodically arsenic mandated by law.
Consequently, the authorization ordered the closure of the rowdy expanse opened against Silent Sunil connected November 26, 2014, portion clarifying that the constabulary are escaped to initiate caller proceedings successful the aboriginal if warranted and if carried retired strictly successful accordance with law.
Relief to others
Sources acquainted with the proceedings said Silent Sunil is not the lone beneficiary of the authority’s scrutiny. In the past 2 meetings of the KSPCA, astir 14 radical with akin constabulary records person secured akin relief, with the authorization directing closure of rowdy sheets aft uncovering procedural lapses and non-compliance with High Court guidelines.
Officials said astir 50 much petitions seeking the removal of names from rowdy and history-sheeter registers are presently pending earlier the authorization and are awaiting disposal.
This comes days aft Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, successful his archetypal gathering with elder officials of the State aft taking charge, floated the thought of forming anti-rowdy squads successful each taluk. Following this, M.A. Saleem, Director General and Inspector of Police, Karnataka, issued a circular ordering the enactment of anti-rowdy squads successful each constabulary circle. This determination is expected to summation the fig of rowdy sheets for the constabulary to support tabs connected crossed the State.
