Whether a day will come when citizens will be so confident of the “policewala” to enter a police station or chowki without apprehension is yet a thing of the future, but there have definitely been progress.
With the introduction of online FIR in various states in India a part of the public-police relationship has made some headway, especially in Bengaluru. A simple website has come to many a rescue.
As many cities are just starting to focus on encouraging the online FIR system, India’s own Silicon Valley appears far ahead in this particular endeavour. So, how did Bengaluru accomplish this feat?
To find out the answer Indian Masterminds spoke to Additional DGP (Law & order) Bengaluru, Mr. Alok Kumar who not only shared the strengths but also the shortcomings of the online FIR system.
TECHNICAL EDGE
According to NCRB the total FIR or Complaints under IPC in 2020 was 1,06,350 while in 2021 it was 1,15,728. Whereas in Bengaluru alone the number of FIR in 2020 was 19,964 and 21,548 in 2021.
Mr. Kumar, who is 1994 batch IPS, said that with online system in place, more people are lodging their complaints. It is citizen-centric and it has definitely helped people to reach out to the police. “Although 100% complaints are not registered online but the numbers have significantly increased in the last few years”, he added.
He also emphasized that the online mode has been successful all around the state of Karnataka and it is because of the technical edge. Being the tech hub, Bengaluru certainly has an edge and the effect can be seen in policing as well.
“We don’t have to train most of our personnel in technology and internet. Even the PSI and constables have an engineering background. It has helped us build and run this system smoothly”, said Mr. Kumar who also served as Bengaluru Commissioner.
Anyone who wants to lodge a complaint can visit the Bengaluru Police website or app. In case of loss of personal belongings, the victim can register complain using E-lost option both on website and app.
PROPER PROCEDURE
Lodging an FIR is just a start, the major chunk of policing is investigation. In many state, while the victim has no idea about how their complaint is moving forward, the process in Bengaluru is very easy. At every stage, the complainant gets proper feedback.
Mr. Kumar said, “They get messages when their complaint is lodged, when an investigating officer is assigned or the chargesheet is filed. They can also check their status on the website and give their feedback too.”
Now there are some shortcomings, one being the increase in the number of false cases. While the process of online FIR has all the necessary steps to check the legitimacy of the complaint still it is a big issue.
“This is major shortcoming. So, we generally encourage the public to use the online mode for need to need basis only. Like if someone is travelling and lost something or they are far away from police station. After all online FIR system was made for these cases only”, said Mr. Kumar.
