Amid recent attacks on doctors, Nagpur police commissioner Vishwas Nangre Patil, in an exclusive interaction with TOI, said police are focusing on building evidence-backed cases to secure convictions and exploring preventive action to curb such incidents.Q. Four attacks and threats have been reported in Nagpur in a month. With doctors demanding immediate arrests and stringent measures, what action will police take?A. We are examining evidence, including CCTV footage, to build strong cases that can stand scrutiny in court. Arrests and custodial interrogation must be backed by sufficient grounds. We are assessing the circumstances and applicable legal provisions in each case to ensure that the action taken is legally sound.Q. What preventive measures can police take to stop such attacks?A. We will explore preventive action in every case. Under the relevant provisions, police can seek sureties from the accused to ensure good behaviour. Failure to furnish the required sureties can lead to detention in jail. We are considering this approach in cases involving attacks on doctors.Q. Several cases of assaults on doctors have remained unresolved for years. How will police expedite them?A. We have begun identifying old cases involving assaults on doctors. We will monitor their trials and prioritise them to ensure they reach their logical conclusion.Q. How crucial is CCTV footage in securing convictions?A. Evidence collection is crucial. In a recent housebreaking case, CCTV footage helped secure a conviction. Similarly, we are collecting all relevant evidence and placing it on record in cases involving attacks on doctors.Q. What message do you want to send through this approach?A. We want to ensure that attacks on doctors and healthcare institutions do not go unpunished. Convictions in recent and old cases will send a strong message that such violence will have legal consequences.00
