JAMMU: Member State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal on Wednesday ordered probe into appointment of blue-eyed as SPOs.
The SHRC’s direction came in a complaint filed by one Subash, who leveled allegations against SSP Jammu for appointing blue-eyed person in place of his son.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Crime Branch Jammu to hold an enquiry regarding lapses committed by officers during the tenure pertaining to present complaint and fix the responsibility. “The IGP Jammu Range shall provide all assistance to IGP Crime, Jammu for holding the aforesaid enquiry”, the SHRC Member said adding IGP Crime shall submit the report on 11th May 2017, the next date of hearing.
“The IGP Crime, Jammu can collect file of the Commission if required so. Office shall provide all material and the IGP Crime shall not delegate powers to any subordinate officer in this regard and shall conduct the inquiry himself. Presenting Officer Asaf Iqbal Malik shall liaison with IGP Crime and shall provide the material from the file whatever is necessary thereon”, the SHRC Member further directed.
According to complaint, the complainant is a social worker and the name of his son Surinder Kumar (23 years) was recommended by the then Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma to the then DGP, J&K for engagement as SPO in J&K Police Department. “The then DGP vide his letter No. GB/Pol-04/2008/33356 dated 20th July 2013 to the DIG, Jammu-Kathua Range, Headquarters Jammu recommended the case. Following which the aforesaid DIG recommended the same to SSP Jammu vide endorsement dated 13th September 2013 and DIG Jammu Range vide communiqué No. Estt/RPHQ/AP/2013/11114 dated 26th November 2014 issued an order for engagement of complainant’s son and copy of that order was forwarded to SSP Jammu for information and necessary action”, the complaint reads further alleging that since Surinder Kumar belonged to Schedule Caste (Megh) category his case was not considered by the then SSP.
“Subash Chander Bali OSI to SSP Jammu lingered on the case on one pretext or the other and avoided engaging Surinder as SPO. Both the above mentioned officials made excuses that there are no vacant posts for engagement as SPOs since 20th July 2013, whereas it has come to fore that several unemployed youths have been engaged as SPOs even after above mentioned date indicating that some blue-eyed persons have been engaged ignoring the plight of complainant’s son Surinder Kumar”, the complaint added.
The SHRC after going through the complaint observed that the complainant has been running from pillar to post for redressal of his grievances but no one came forward to redress his grievances and ultimately this Commission extended the protection of umbrella on the complainant for engagement of his son as SPO. “However, it is unfortunate that the then SSP not appointed the son of the complainant in time and has not only caused financial loss but mental agony also which amounts to glaring violation of the human rights and is required to be investigated”, the SHRC maintained adding that it is only on the intervention of this commission the present SSP issued the engagement order of Surinder Kumar, the son of the complainant.
“Had the same order issued on or afterward 26th November 2013 the son of the petitioner would have been in service since 2013 and as per rule he would have been eligible to be appointed as constable on preferential treatment given to the SPOs after they qualify certain length of service”, the SHRC Member asserted and directed IGP Crime Alok Puri to hold an enquiry.