’Corrupt’ court policemen to be replaced soon

Many policemen deputed in courtrooms allegedly pass on information to criminals and lawyers

'Corrupt' court policemen to be replaced soon

Many policemen deputed in courtrooms allegedly pass on information to criminals and lawyers

Around 150 policemen deployed at metropolitan courts who allegedly pass on confidential information to defence lawyers and criminals for a price will be replaced soon.

"I have issued orders for transfer of constables deployed in courtrooms across the city," Joint Commissioner of Police (law and order) Rajnish Seth told MiD DAY.

The move came following a request from Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Esplanade Court to Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Dayal in which he asked the IPS officer to replace the current lot of court cops (karkoons), who were neck-deep in corruption and have overstayed their two-year stint, at the earliest.

In a letter (dated December 12, 2010) CMM wrote that the wrongdoings of cops disrupted court proceedings and adversely affected judgements in some cases.

Taking cognizance of the letter, Seth issued an order on February 14 (copy with MiD DAY) to transfer all the cops with immediate effect. The process may take a month's time.

"Any policeman found working for lawyers would attract severe punishment. The constables are also to wear uniform in the courtroom so that they could be identified easily," stated the notification.

Most cops do not wear their uniform and often masquerade as lawyers or counsels. "They provide vital tip-offs to the accused after gaining sufficient experience working in the courtrooms.

Also, these cops have access to vital court documents such as FIRs, statements and dates of hearing as part of their routine duties.

This information is passed on to lawyers and others for a price," said a court staff member, requesting anonymity.
u00a0
There have been instances when tainted lawyers in connivance with greedy constables manage to destroy files and other important documents from court records, he added.

The CMM's letter points out how someu00a0 key witnesses turned hostile after being convinced by corrupt cops.

The posting tenure of a cop deputed at the courtroom is supposed to be less than two years, yet many of them have managed to remain in the same court for extended periods. On average, judges register three complaints per month against cops to their superiors," said a lawyer, who did not want to be named.

"Court constables cannot be held solely responsible for the ongoing corruption, its umbilical cord is undoubtedly connected to the police stations.
u00a0
In most cases, officers at police stations suggest that the accused get in touch with court cops who would help them to resolve the case.

The cop even suggests which lawyer should be hired for quick results. Then the lawyer and court constable manage the complainant and witnesses," said a Public Prosecutor, on condition of anonymity.

The cops develop a nexus with criminals.

A glaring case in point is Rajesh Manik Igawe, a head constable working with the Local Arms (LA) department, was killed in an encounter with Abu Salem's right-hand man Salim Haddi at Tardeo on November 27, 1995.

Igawe, who was assigned the job to escort criminals from court to prison, soon begun helping prisoners and working for Salem.

On April 5, 1995, he killed businessman Ramesh Kishorimal Doshi at Sakinaka with Salem's sharpshooters.

Courtroomu00a0u00a0Etiquette
Instructions that people, including lawyers, need to follow in a courtroom:
1. You are supposed to stand up and bow your head when the judge enters the courtroom.
2. Sit properly, even cross-legged posture is not allowed.
3. Mobile phones should to be switched off, or else it will amount to a penalty.
4. No talking in the courtroom.
5. Accused are supposed to enter the courtroom barefoot. (This is to ward of the fear of shoe missile attack on the judges.)
6. Policemen are required to be in uniform.
7. Don't try to talk to judges or don't try to attract his attention by doing some theatrics.
8. Don't talk with the accused.

Ek Cutting!
Karkoons
Karkoons are cops deputed in the courtroom. They are responsible for escorting criminals from prison to court and vice-versa.