No response on dialing 100: Delhi HC takes suo motu cognizance of Justice Vipin Sanghi’s letter, issues notice

The High Court of Delhi on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, seeking explanation over the malfunctioning of Delhi Police's helpline number 100.

“It is a serious issue. ‘Dial 100’ is meant for public and if it is not answered in emergency, what more we can expect?” a bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath was quoted as saying.

The notices were issued on the basis of a letter written to Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma by Delhi High Court Judge Vipin Sanghi, complaining about the ‘poor’ response of the dial 100 service.

In the letter, Justice Sanghi has reportedly narrated his “poor personal experience” of calling up the helpline on April 29 when he was on his way to Vasant Kunj to attend a wedding reception. “There was a big traffic jam in Vasant Kunj at a crossing and I was stuck for about 40 minutes. Since I could not spot any traffic policeman on the road to manage traffic, I called on 100 number at 10.12pm to inform police about the jam,” the letter stated.

The call was however not answered, despite him holding it for five minutes. “This despite the helpline being an emergency response mechanism. Any call made to 100 should be answered immediately as it is very likely that it may be called by people in grave emergency. In my view, this is a very serious issue that you need to look into, to make the service more effective and efficient,” the letter further stated.