Three lessons from the Rajaratnam case (Opinion)
- Data suggests that US has 2.5 policemen per 1,000 citizens, Turkey has 5.3, Russia 5.5. India and China have 1.3 and 1.2 respectively, but China still manages to catch and execute criminals more effectively. Inefficiency of Indian policemen lies mainly in having ineffective procedures.
- Routine procedure following a crime involves filing a Preliminary Enquiry (PE), followed by registration of the First Information Report (FIR), and the uncovering of evidence leads to the filing of a chargesheet.
- 3 reforms as suggested are :
- PEs and FIRs must be kept secret. When announced publicly they lead to the public humiliation of those named under it, irrespective of their involvement, and forewarn the larger crooks to adopt safety measure and plan an escape.
- Home Ministers directly control the police and can largely influence an investigation. Independent investigative agencies that follow up the case for long periods without any outside influence of politicians and ministers must be brought in to allow complete secrecy in investigations.
- Adopting secrecy when obtaining wiretap permissions from courts, and a legal and intelligent of the same.
- Introducing an incentive for performance in India may fuel better performances.
Exams Perspective:
- FIR Chargesheet
- Police to People Ratio
- Police Reforms