Arvind Verma and K S Subramanian: Understanding the police in India

SoftcoverThe police continue to hit the headlines in India, generally for all the wrong reasons. India must be one of the few democratic countries where citizens do not trust the police, an important administrative organ of their elected government, and feel intimidated by them. The Indian police are seen to serve the interests of the ruling elite, despite the passage of 65 years of independence. A widespread belief pins most of the ills to the ‘politicization’ of the service, in which politicians are dubbed the culprits, not letting the police play its rightful role in the society.However, the problems of the Indian police run deep-the design, structure, culture and leadership are all equally responsible for the present state of affairs. This remains hidden due to a lack of understanding about the nature and functions of the police in the country. Apart from the memoirs of many police officers and the occasional academic study of specific issues related topolicing, knowledge about the police remains limited in the country and to most concerned citizens.This book attempts to fill this gap by providing a lucid and thoughtful exposition of the police system of the country. Two new chapters on the growing violence against women, and policing white collar crimes have been added highlighting the policing issues that have evoked considerable debate and discussion in recent times. The book written by two former senior police officers provides not only an insider’s viewpoint but also a dispassionate analysis of the police organisation. This book provides a balanced picture of policing in India and addresses serious issues that have confronted the police in recent years. This new edition will be valued by judges, lawyers, police officers, investigating agencies, research scholars, academicians, political and social activists, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and other interested citizens.

Preface to the Second Edition  

Preface to the First Edition

 Acknowledgement

Contents  

CHAPTER 1 History of Modern Police in India  

Introduction

CASE STUDY Kissa Kursi Ka: A Case of Political Shenanigan  

CHAPTER 2 The Union Home Ministry and Police Organisation

Origins of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA

Constitutional Mandate  

Activities   

Central Police Organisations (CPOs)   

Central Police Forces (CPFs )

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF )

Assam Rifles (AR)

Border Security Force (BSF)

 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)   

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)   

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)/Special Service Bureau  

National Security Guard (NSG)

India Reserve Battalions (IR Battalions)  

CASE STUDY Nandigram: State Violence, Central Paramilitary Forces and The State Police Forces   

Contents xii CHAPTER 3 State Police Forces: Structure, Recruitment and Training  

Other Departments in the State Police Organisation  

Recruitment and Training

 CASE STUDY Training of IPS Officers  

CHAPTER 4 The Intelligence Collection Role of Police: Case of Intelligence Bureau  

Political Importance of the IB  

 Misuse of Intelligence Agencies by the Government  

 Internal Political Intelligence   

Political Role of Intelligence Agencies  

LP Singh Committee Recommendations  

National Security Council   

CASE STUDY Spy Spook in India  

 CHAPTER 5 Crime Investigation  

 Introduction

 Registration of Crimes   

The Process of Investigation

Search and Seizures   

Arrest of Suspects  

 Documentation and Presentation of Evidence in the Court

Conclusion

CASE STUDY Aarushi Talwar-Hemraj Double Murder Investigation  

 CHAPTER 6 Order Maintenance  

Introduction

Definition of Public Disorder in India   

Contents xiii Varieties of Disorder Situations in India  

Police Tactics in Maintaining Order   

Separating Law-Order Functions from Crime Control Responsibilities  

 CASE STUDY The Politics of Order Maintenance: Gujjar Agitation in Rajasthan  

 CHAPTER 7 Police and Women in India  

 Growing Violence Against Women in India   

Police Indifference and Insensitive Attitude Towards Women  

 Positive Developments   

Suggested Reforms  

 CASE STUDY Torture and Extrajudicial Execution of Ms Thangjam Manorama

 CHAPTER 8 Terrorism in India  

Introduction

Pakistan’s Involvement in Promoting Terrorism in India

 Preventive Measures Against Terrorism

 CASE STUDY Salwa Judum—‘State Terror’ Against ‘Maoist Terror’ in Chhattisgarh

CHAPTER 9 Human Insecurity and the Indian Police

Introduction  

CASE STUDY The Narmada Valley Development Project and Human Insecurity in India  

CHAPTER 10 Policing White Collar Crimes and Corruption  

 What is White-Collar Crime?

Contents xiv Extent of White-Collar Crimes in India

4 Major White Collar Crimes and Corruption Cases in the Country

 India corruption profile

Police Agencies Handling White-Collar Crimes and Corruption of Public Officials

 Central Bureau of Investigation

Other Measures: The Right to Information Act 2005

 Central Information Commission

Lokayuktas  

I Paid a Bribe   

Reasons for Failures to Prosecute White-Collar Crimes and Corruption

CASE STUDY Bofor’s Scandal

CHAPTER 11 Politicisation of the Police   

Reasons for Political Interference  

Real Cause is Lack of Professionalism   

CASE STUDY Politicisation of the Indian Police During the Gujarat Carnage 2002   

CHAPTER 12 Applications of Technology in Police Work   

Areas of Applications  

Areas of Further Applications  

CASE STUDY Technology Application to Traffic Management—Safe Routes to School

CHAPTER 13 Policing a District

 District as a Historical Unit of Administration  

 Police Establishment as Panopticon

 The Superintendent of Police  

The Police Station   

Urban and Rural Policing  

Contents xv Relationship between the SP and the Collector/DM

 Service Oriented Problems   

Conclusion

 CASE STUDY Working for the People   

CHAPTER 14 Cyber Cops

 Indian IT Industry

Illustrative Cases of Cyber Crimes  

Preventive Measures

Police Response to Cyber Threat

Conclusion

CHAPTER 15 The Role of Police in Democratic India

 Introduction

Role of the CPFs at Ayodhya 1992 and Gujarat 2002

Politicisation of the Police

Threat of Terrorism to Democracy in India

Reform Efforts

CASE STUDY Assisting Weaker Sections of the Society  

Index