Phek: Police officers urged to maintain principles & integrity

Phek, May 18 (MExN): Phek Police held a crime conference at SP office, Phek on May 17. Presiding the conference, Vesupra Kezo, SP encouraged the police officers to update themselves with cyber crime, POCSO, NDPS, IPC, Cr.P.C, JJ Act and to maintain principles and integrity while performing their duties. 

A press release stated here that in his address, R Tochumong Chang, Additional SP said, “police officers should be more Pro-active in their investigation so that the justice may be given to the victims.”

The house discussed on the ongoing pending cases, wherein, the SP and Addl. SP gave directions to the police officers to complete the investigation without delay. 

Zheviholi Swu, Assistant Public Prosecutor highlighted the loopholes and hiccups found during the investigation process, which had hampered the case of the prosecution in the court. She apprised that the signatures of the seizure witness and arrest witness should be signed at place of occurrence and not at the police station, and Non-examination of independent witness has seriously impaired the credibility of the prosecution case. 

She briefed the police officers the judgment passed by the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar -Versus –The State of Bihar & Anr, wherein, the apex court has held that to ensure that the police officers do not arrest accused unnecessarily. 

It has directed the police officer to issue Notice of appearance in terms Section 44 (A) Cr.P.C to be served on the accused within two weeks from the date of institution of suits of the case when the punishment is less than 7 years of imprisonment. 

Further, it directed the police officer to provide checklist as per 41(1)(b)(ii)Cr.P.C while producing the accused before the court, failure to comply with the directions, the apex court held that  the police officer shall be liable for departmental action and also be liable to be punished for contempt of court.

She apprised the police officers to include proper prosecution witnesses, expert opinion, forensic report, sketch Maps, photograph and other important material evidence to support the case.