Karnataka High Court Seeks Details Of CEN (Cyber Economics & Narcotic Crimes) Police Stations In Bengaluru.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum issued notice to the respondents while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Advocate Sudha Katwa. The petition filed through advocate Umapathi S, states that the police stations are not discharging their functions due to lack of basic facility and poor staff strength.

Advocate Umapathi submitted that the spot inspection done by the petitioner revealed that the police stations lack proper infrastructure, lack skilled and trained staff, non posting of permanent staff, non availability of lab and other basic necessities. The petitioner in order to get more details filed applications under the Right to Information Act the replies made by the authorities in the said applications, confirmed the same. The petitioner then made a representation to the respondents to take corrective steps.

It was in October 2019 that the office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police made a proposal to set up CEN police stations to the State government. In December 2019 the government issued an order sanctioning 8 CEN police stations in the city. The plea states that by not providing basic infrastructure to the police, the state government is violating the fundamental right of the victims to get justice within a reasonable time period. It is said that due to the increase in population in the city of Bengaluru, more and more cyber crimes are taking place every day. To prevent and solve such crimes to take necessary action against the accused, huge responsibility is given to CEN police stations.

The plea prays for directions to the respondents to provide complete facilities and infrastructure to the 8 CEN police stations in Bengaluru for their effective functioning. Further, to direct the state government to provide adequate staff and budget to the police stations.

The matter will be next heard on February 11.

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