Ankita Bhandari murder effect: Uttarakhand govt tells SC it has decided to end patwari police system
The recent brutal murder of 19-year-old resort receptionist Ankita Bhandari allegedly by her employer Pulkit Arya, the son of a former BJP Minister had put the unique policing system in large parts of Uttarakhand where revenue officers are given police functions, under the scanner.
It is the only State where revenue department official or ‘patwari’ is entrusted the task of crime investigation, a colonial practice.
Ankita’s parents contended that the case had weakened as Patwari they contacted initially didn’t act promptly. This according to them resulted in accused destroying evidence and fleeing
It is to be noted that government subsequently suspended the patwari and initiated an inquiry against him
During the hearing of a petition seeking putting an end to the Patwari system in the state, Jatinder Kumar Sethi, Deputy Advocate General for State of Uttarakhand told the Supreme Court that State Cabinet in its meeting held on October 12, 2022 has deliberated upon a proposal for bringing within jurisdiction of the Regular Police, those areas that are presently being policed by the Revenue Police in the State.
The state told SC cadre strength of the existing police will be increased, upgraded. Necessary Infrastructure for Police Stations/Outposts vis-à-vis population strength of target area, Tourist inflow and Crime rate will be done
State Cabinet has taken a policy decision to bring areas, presently police by the Revenue Police, within jurisdiction of the Regular Police in a phased manner.
In the First phase, All Heinous Crimes including crime against women, kidnapping, cyber-crime, POCSO etc. shall be handed over to the Regular Police by the District Magistrates immediately.
The District Magistrates shall complete identification of priority areas within 3 months and the process of handing over these areas shall be completed within the 3 months thereafter.
In the interim the District Magistrates shall continue to keep a close watch on crime reported in their respective districts and each case will be assessed for necessity of handling by regular police and decision taken accordingly by the District Magistrate on case-to-case basis.
