‘No phones on duty’ circular: DGP, CoP get appreciation

Recording the submission made by the Police that a circular has been issued on January 22 in this regard, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said: “This court only hopes that the momentum is kept up and it is ensured that the traffic police do not engage themselves with mobile phones while on duty.”

The Police also submitted that it had issued an earlier circular dated November 17, 2018 directing the personnel not to use mobile phone while on duty.

Justice Anand Venkatesh had taken suo motu cognisance of the fact that mobile phones were being used widely by the traffic police while on duty. He then directed the DGP and CoP to immediately issue a circular regarding the same and initiate action against the erring personnel.

“This court was able to observe that the use of phone by police personnel on duty was proving to be a huge distraction resulting in danger to the general public, who are accessing public roads.”

Additional Public Prosecutor M Mohammed Riyaz also informed the court about the departmental action taken by the DGP against police personnel, who were seen using mobile phone while on duty. He also placed before the court a report revealing various action taken against the delinquent police officials in various districts.