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Synopsis

The Delhi Police has informed the Delhi High Court that if anyone finds any unattended barricade on road, they may immediately report the same on 112 or may tag traffic police on Twitter at @dtptraffic and Delhi Police at @DelhiPolice and the same shall be attended to by SHO of the police station for immediate action.

A bench of Justice Mukta Gupta and Justice Anish Dayas accepted the affidavit submitted by the Delhi Police and said that it was a welcome step.

The affidavit has been filed in a matter wherein the court had taken suo-motu cognizance on a letter written to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi which was later sent to the High Court for appropriate actions. The plea has been filed against the practice of Delhi Police for leaving unmanned police barricades on roads.

The affidavit submitted that a letter has also been issued by Legal Division, Delhi Police to all DCSP/Districts, Railways, Traffic, Metro& IGI Airport with the directions to brief and sensitize the staff, under their command and ensure meticulous compliance of the directions contained in the Standing Order.

"It was also emphasized upon to initiate action against the erring police officials in the event of non-compliance of the directions", the affidavit added.

Additionally, it was submitted that departmental action has been initiated against 6 erring officials in the recent past for leaving the barricades unattended on road.

As additional measures, the Delhi Police has issued the following instructions: 

1. While giving approval for barricaded checking, district DCP would consider that checking be allowed during peak hours, only in case of exigency;

2. SHOs/Inspectors (Law & Order) shall daily brief the checking staff before their deployment on barricading duty along with Mobile Patrolling Vehicle (MPV) staff, Beat officers and Motorcycle patrol of the respective area about the above instructions properly;

3. SHO Inspector (Law & Order). MPV staff, Motorcycle patrol, Picket as well Beat duty staff shall ensure that all unmanned/unattended barricades in their respective patrolling/duty area are immediately removed from road/footpath after use.

4. Senior police officers would also pay special attention to the placing of barricades during their field visits; etc.

Case Title: Court on its Own Motion Vs. Commissioner of Police & Ors.