With the conviction rate in India barely making it above 50 percent one of the factors that contribute to the process of justice is securing a safe passage to a victim of a crime and its witness.
While a poor investigation in itself is a major setback, the other reason for a low conviction rate is victims or witnesses turning hostile. In many cases, the victims fear registering even a complaint and even when they do, they do not ultimately depose. To counter this major issue, ADGP (Law & Order), Bengaluru, Mr. Alok Kumar has launched a Victim Protection Scheme in the state. This initiative has been successful in securing several verdicts.
VICTIM’S DAY
The 1994 IPS batch officer, who had earlier served in the United Nation under deputation, spoke to Indian Masterminds and explained what needed to be done to ensure victims come forward to confide in police officials.
Mr. Kumar said police stations have to be made people-friendly. “People still struggle to approach the police with their complaints, especially in rural areas,” he said.
The thought of facing a difficult fight against a rowdy or strong opponent often forces the victims to withdraw complaints, he added.
Victim’s Day is observed across the state every third Sunday of the month. On this day, people directly approach police stations and get their complaints registered.
But that is just the beginning. The task doesn’t end here.The officer who registers the complaint is encouraged to provide proper help then and there, explained Mr. Kumar.
“While the day is dedicated to taking action on unattended complaints, registration of FIR and proper investigation of cases, it invariably is expected to lead to providing Victim Protection and Assistance and following up with the court trials,” said the officer who served in the UN in 2003-04.
HOW IT STARTED
It was during his deputation on foreign land that he picked up the pieces that today form the basis of his initiative. Mr. Kumar wanted to replicate the Victims Assistance program of various countries in Karantaka.
Under the program, beat cops frequently visit the houses of the victims, CCTV cameras are installed and security is provided to them if needed.
In serious cases like murder, POCSO crimes, rapes, the officer himself takes charge of the program and apart from providing protection to the witness and victim, he also looks after their other needs.
Mr. Kumar, who is the Nodal officer from the Police Department of Karnataka for the upcoming assembly elections, believes that ‘Victim’s Assistance’ program will help in improving the justice rate in our country.
A SUCCESS STORY
Mr. Kumar shared: “There was a murder in 2017 in Chittapur, Kalaburagi. A 12-year-old boy had to testify against his father for killing his mother.”
“He was so scared. We provided protection to him and finally last year the father was given the life sentence.”
