Kolkata, 27 May (H.S.): Kolkata Police personnel will no longer be allowed to carry out searches, arrests, or other official duties in plain clothes. They will now be required to wear uniforms while on duty. A new directive to this effect has been issued by the office of the Police Commissioner.
According to the directive issued on May 24, police personnel must mandatorily remain in uniform during search operations, arrests, or any official action. Conducting such operations in civilian clothes will be treated as a violation of rules. However, in special circumstances where plainclothes deployment is necessary, prior approval from senior officers must be obtained. The directive also instructs that the identity of police personnel involved in operations must be clearly established.
The order, however, will not apply to personnel of special units such as the Special Task Force, Detective Department, Cyber Cell, Enforcement Branch, and other specialized wings.
The directive also refers to the landmark 1997 D.K. Basu vs State of West Bengal judgment of the Supreme Court of India, in which the court laid down guidelines regarding police conduct during searches, arrests, and detention procedures.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
