DGP’s approval needed for crime branch to register cases, order revoked when turned controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The controversial order stating that DGP’s permission is needed for the crime branch to hand over and register cases, has been revoked. The order stating that the crime branch cannot directly register a case and either the permission of the state police chief or the chief minister is needed for them to register a case, has been corrected. A clerical error occurred and a new order will be released soon, informed police headquarters.

The permission of the DGP is not needed for the crime branch to register all cases. DGP’s nod is needed only in sensational cases. DGP’s new order will be released soon after solving the errors. Police decided to amend the order after allegations surfaced that DGP’s order is an encroachment on the authority of the crime branch.

Meantime, a clear explanation on the new directive requiring prior approval of the DGP when a case is handed over to the crime branch as per the directive of the court or the government, has not yet come.

The order released from the state police headquarters yesterday explained the criteria on the cases to be referred to the state crime branch, district crime branch and anti-terrorist squad. The order released affirmed that the cases should be registered only with the permission of the state police chief or the chief minister. The order released earlier had mentioned that cases in connection with the custodial deaths should be handed over to the crime branch soon. The crime branch should probe financial fraud cases above Rs 5 crore. The order also mentioned that murder cases, possessing weapons and theft cases should be handed over to the crime branch in 30 days.