Court says go by seniority in quarters for cops, forms team to vacate illegal occupants

Disposing a plea moved by a police personnel M Raghupathy seeking to direct the DGP to consider his representation and allot the quarter at Chintadripet based on his seniority, Justice S M Subramaniam passed the above direction after holding that this judgment emanated from the lis on hand, wherein, this Court acted as “Voice for the voiceless Police Personnel, who have no Godfather in the Department.”

While offering a string of directions including the creation of an official website within two weeks to enable police personnel submit their application online and establish transparency in such allotment of quarters, Justice Subramaniam said “This Court is of the considered opinion that there is growing instances in the Police Department that the quarters are allotted in violation of the rules in force and is based on favouritism and nepotism.”

As per the plea, the discriminations and violations included failure to strictly follow seniority, eligibility for the type of quarters, police personnel removed, retired from service and transferred to some other stations are illegally allowed to continue on extraneous considerations and personal staff including PA’s, OA’s, Drivers, Cooks etc., of the higher police officials are illegally allotted quarters over and above their eligibility and in violation of seniority.

“Under these circumstances, if such an irregularity or illegality is found, suitable disciplinary actions are to be initiated against all the officials, who are responsible for such violations and illegalities,” Justice Subramaniam said along with noting that the authorities competent must always keep in mind that while extending such favouritism to their own men, the same will paralyse the entire public administration for which they are responsible and accountable.

Justice Subramaniam also held that the causes for growing indiscipline in the police force are the greatest concern for the public also. The growing indiscipline in Uniformed Services are affecting the interest of the public at large. The misbehaviour of the uniformed personnel in the public domain is a great concern and the State as well as the Head of the Police Department must investigate these aspects in order to restore the discipline level and provide equal opportunity to police personnel by implementing the laws without any discrimination, the order said.