Whatsapp-Equipped Smartphones To Catch Corrupt Policemen


NEW DELHI: The next time a police officer seeks a bribe or harasses you, don't feel frustrated. Help is at hand, literally in the form of your smartphone equipped with chat application Whatsapp.

Apart from calling and registering a complaint, a recorded audio or video clip can be sent to the newly-launched helpline -- 9910641064 -- via the popular chat engine and action is taken within hours.

Since its launch Aug 6, action has been taken against three policemen.

"This helpline number is launched under the guidance of Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi to make the force corruption free," Additional Commissioner of Police (Vigilance) G.C. Dwivedi, under whose observation the helpline operates, told IANS.

"Officers found guilty are booked under section 7 (public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an official act) and section 13 (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other sections under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," he added.

Explaining the working of the 24x7 helpline launched by Delhi Police's vigilance department, a police officer said: "After we receive a clip with the evidence against an officer, we inform a senior about the complaint."

"We then call the complainant and get detailed information about the case while the clip is sent to the forensic science laboratory in Rohini to check its authenticity. If it's genuine, a complaint is registered and the guilty officer is arrested and suspended with immediate effect."

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Source: IANS