City Roundup

No affidavits to register mobile thefts: Police chief
Mumbai: Mumbai police chief Dr Satyapal Singh in a circular given to every police station has instructed that no on-duty police officer should ask for an affidavit while registering cases of mobile phone thefts from complainant. Assistant police commissioner Bhagwan Chate, an official spokesperson of the Mumbai police commissioner has confirmed the development. In the circular, the top cop has also warned officers that stern action would be taken against the officer who failed to do so. According to the circular, “If an expensive product such as a mobile phone or valuable documents such as passport, certificate, cheque book or licence go missing, and if any person comes to the police station, then it is mandatory for the on-duty policeman to register a complaint with details. He must also register the case in the station diary.” It is been observed that in many police stations, the cops ask complainants to bring an affidavit from a notary for such lost property cases. “Seeing this the commissioner had taken a stand,” added Chate. The circular also states that, the duty officers are making such demands and create hurdles in the process due to which there is a misunderstanding among general public with police force. “In the above circumstances, it is ordered that if the on-duty policeman demands an affidavit from the complainant for registering a case, serious note will be taken of it and strict departmental action will be taken, said the circular.
Shrubbery removed from Shakti Mills
Mumbai: The Public Works Department on Tuesday informed the Bombay High Court that the shrubbery inside the stagnant Shakti Mills compound, where a photojournalist was gang raped, has been cleared and work is on to remove debris. Justice Nitin Jamdar was on Tuesday informed that the shrubbery has been removed and the debris would be cleared in some time. The PWD, in consultation with the official liquidator and Shakti Mills company, informed the court that the cost for completion of the first phase was Rs 17 lakh. The court directed the PWD to give approximate cost for the second phase to the official liquidator by October 19 and posted the matter on October 29 for further hearing.