Kolkata: To eliminate procedural delays and ensure rapid action in criminal investigations especially in cases involving crimes against women, children and senior citizens, Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand on Sunday issued a stringent five-point “quick guideline” regarding the registration and transfer of Zero FIRs. The thrust, claimed Lalbazar, is to ensure that the complainant has minimum problem in registering her or his complaint. “These are few important pointers for the quick addressal on the subject,” CP Nand told TOI.The Kolkata Police senior cops warned that any police personnel failing to adhere to the newly issued directives will face strict departmental action. A Zero FIR is an emergency provision that allows any police station to register a complaint irrespective of its jurisdictional boundaries, which is subsequently transferred to the appropriate police station for investigation.The commissioner’s order highlighted that recent observations revealed an inordinate delay in the filing of regular FIRs after the initial registration of Zero FIRs within the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police as well as neighboring districts. Emphasizing the gravity of the issue, Commissioner Nand’s official order stated that such delays adversely impact the timely disposal of criminal cases and the effective administration of criminal justice.To streamline the process, ensure prompt action, and maintain an effective follow-up of zero FIR cases, the Commissioner outlined five specific directions for strict compliance by all police personnel.First, the officer-in charge registering the Zero FIR will personally contact the concerned officer-in charge of the PS where the Zero FIR is being sent for taking further necessary action.Second, the Officer-in charge transferring the Zero FIR shall communicate all relevant facts of the case. He will also share the details of the complainant to the receiving Officer-in-charge.Third, the complainant must be briefed about the follow-up action which are being taken from the end of police.Fourth, the contact details of the Officer-in charge of the receiving Police Station, shall also be shared with the complainant.Fifth, in all cases relating to offences against women, the registration and transfer of the Zero FIR shall be reported immediately to the concerned Divisional Deputy Commissioner of Police.By embedding these specific guidelines directly into daily operations without any alterations, the city’s police top brass aims to significantly bridge the communication and time gap in starting a probe, with experience showing that delays have led to snowballing of law and order issues.Senior officials noted that the mandatory involvement of divisional Deputy Commissioners in cases concerning crimes against women will ensure higher accountability and top-level monitoring from the very inception of a case. All OCs across the city have been directed to implement these protocols with immediate effect.
