Himalaya Harbinger, Uttarakhand Bureau.
In a bid to improve the quality of criminal investigations across Uttarakhand, Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth on Tuesday chaired a high-level video conference with senior police officials from all districts, including the Garhwal and Kumaon ranges. The review meeting focused on enhancing transparency, scientific methodology, and accountability in handling serious crimes.
Addressing officers during the session, DGP Seth emphasized the urgent need for investigations to be “fair, transparent, and timely.” He said, “Senior officers must personally supervise investigation reports, charge sheets, and final reports. Without proper oversight, justice delivery is compromised.”
The DGP highlighted that the police headquarters has developed simplified, crime-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which must now be updated in line with the newly implemented criminal laws. He reminded officers about the expectations laid down by the Hon’ble High Court regarding investigation standards and called for the integration of scientific evidence, videography, electronic proof, and structured investigation plans to ensure impartiality and legal robustness.
“An investigating officer must coordinate with prosecution officials beforehand to ensure effective presentation in court,” Seth added, underlining the necessity of cross-departmental collaboration.
DGP Seth also underlined the dual pressure on police units: maintaining law and order and responding to disaster relief duties while simultaneously ensuring quality investigations. “Balancing these tasks is a significant challenge that calls for effective time management and consistent supervision,” he said.
The DGP directed that Additional Superintendents of Police (Addl. SPs) and Circle Officers (COs) be held directly responsible for monitoring investigations regularly. He also called for weekly crime reviews, proper workload assessments, and structured in-house training modules to train over 3,000 investigating officers in a phased manner.
Top officials including ADG Law & Order Dr. V. Murugesan, ADG Administration A.P. Anshuman, IG Crime & Law Nilesh Anand Bharne, IG Training Anant Shankar Takwale, IG Garhwal Rajeev Swaroop, DIG Law & Order Dhirendra Gunjyal, SP GRP Trupti Bhatt, and STF SSP Navneet Bhullar were present at the headquarters during the conference.
“Policing is a continuous challenge. Despite workload and constraints, we must set an example of professional efficiency and accountability,” Seth concluded.
