DGP warns action against cops who trouble complainants

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Mahesh Kumar Agarwal issued an internal circular directing police officers to accept complaints from the public without causing hardship regarding police station jurisdiction. He warned that departmental action would be taken against officers who refuse to do so.

The circular was issued to subordinate police officers across the state for addressing delays and inconvenience faced by complainants due to disputes over police station jurisdictions.

Members of the public should not be made to travel from one police station to another merely because there is uncertainty regarding the jurisdiction in which a crime occurred, the DGP stated, adding that such practices create confusion among both the police and the public and delay the registration of complaints.

The circular instructed that complaints relating to theft, robbery, accidents or any other criminal incidents must be received without delay. If the matter falls under the jurisdiction of another police station, the complaint should be appropriately forwarded to the respective station rather than requiring the complainant to visit multiple police stations.

The DGP also directed that complainants be provided with the contact details of the officers concerned to facilitate further action and ensure proper coordination between stations.