Don’t accept gifts worth over Rs 200, DGP tells officers

Tripathy’s order came after Madurai bench of the Madras High Court directed the Director General of Police on July 6 to issue a circular to all police officers in the state, reminding them to not accept gifts, bouquets or dowry.

No member of the service shall give or take or abet the giving or taking of dowry or demand directly or indirectly from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, any dowry, the circular, issued on July 12, stated.

It added that no police officer shall, except with previous sanction from DGP, accept directly and indirectly on his or her behalf, or on behalf of any other person, or permit his family members from any person to accept gifts or gratuities.

DGP’s sanction may not be needed to accept gifts worth more than Rs 200 from friends on special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, funerals and religious functions when the making or receiving of such gifts is in conformity with the prevailing customs. Also, no permission is required to receive gifts from relatives during special occasions.