Maharashtra government empowers head constables to probe cases

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A police official on Thursday said that the Maharashtra government has issued an order empowering personnel of the rank of head constable and above to investigate cases, reported news agency PTI.

He added that the order was issued on May 9.

"The powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 176 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita aim to ensure investigations are conducted properly. With the new order, head constable and above are empowered to investigate the cases after the concerned rank official deputed by an officer in charge of the police station," he said, reported PTI.

"Police constable possessing graduation degree, having completed seven years of service as constable as well as special training at Detective Training School in Nashik and having passed the examination held in such training. No departmental enquiry must be pending against him," the order stated.

Mumbai police to get sixth joint commissioner; will look after intelligence gathering

Meanwhile, Mumbai police will get a sixth joint commissioner post, which will oversee intelligence gathering, an official said on Thursday, reported PTI.

The decision was taken by the Maharashtra government in the aftermath of the recent India-Pakistan military conflict, he added.

Before this order, the metropolis' police had five joint commissioners for law and order, crime, administration, traffic and economic offences, respectively, he said.

"In Mumbai, intelligence gathering is done by the Special Branch, which is headed by an additional commissioner (deputy inspector general rank) who reports to the joint commissioner (law and order). Now this branch will be headed by a joint commissioner, who will be of inspector-general rank," the official explained, reported PTI.

"The Special Branch monitors every development in the city, collects intelligence inputs as well as keeps track of the activities of the sleeper cell and sympathisers," he said.

Under the new mechanism, the joint commissioner of the Special Branch will report directly to the commissioner and will also coordinate with the joint commissioner (law and order), the official added, reported PTI.

"It will help in gathering intelligence and sharing information with superiors in a timely manner so that swift action can be taken. At present, the post of additional commissioner (Special Branch) is vacant and it is being looked after by the additional commissioner of police (crime)," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)