90% police officers either corrupt or inefficient: Madras High Court

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Justice P. Velmurugan of the Madras High Court in a recent decision remarked that the Police Department was running with 90% of either corrupt or inefficient officials who cannot conduct criminal investigations properly.

Justice Murugan, while closing a contempt petition, said,

"Unfortunately, as on date, the police department is running with 90% corrupt officers and officers not having adequate capacity to do the investigation. Only 10% of the officers are honest and abled officers. The 10% of officials alone cannot do all the investigation."

The Court was adjudicating upon a contempt petition, wherein the petitioner alleged that even after the Court's specific direction the respondent police failed to conduct fresh investigation in accordance with law, in proper manner, hence the respondent police has disobeyed the order of this Court.

However, the Court found no willful disobedience by the police. However, the Court allowed the petitioner to take action against the respondent police for its incapacity by way of filing the protest petition. The Court noted, 

"Though this Court finds that the capacity of the investigating officer is not upto the mark and within her capacity she has investigated the case, the incapacity of the investigation officer cannot be treated as wilfully disobeying the order of this Court."

The Court concluded that, it is the right time to sensitize the officials and eradicate corrupt officers and give adequate training to officers who, though not corrupt, lack the capacity to do proper investigation.

Cause Title: S. Vasanthi vs M. Baggiyalakshmi Inspector of Police & Ors.