Latest news with #StandardOperatingProcedure
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Punjab Police drafts SOP on handling cases pertaining to Armymen, state to notify soon
The Punjab Police is formulating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle cases pertaining to Army personnel so that there is no repeat of the ugly incident that took place in Patiala in March when a serving Colonel and his son were assaulted by Punjab Police personnel. A senior Punjab Police official said that the SOP is being prepared with the cooperation of HQs Western Command of the Army and that it will soon be notified by the Punjab government. 'We are in an advanced stage of finalising the SOP and it is the remit of the state government to notify it. We expect this to happen within a week,' said a senior official. Colonel PS Bath's case had hit the national headlines after he and his son were assaulted by a group of police officials outside a Dhaba in Patiala on the intervening night of March 13 and 14. Both received serious injuries and the lack of adequate response by the Patiala Police and a blatant effort to shield the accused inspectors had led to widespread protests by the wife of Colonel Bath as well as ex-servicemen community in Punjab. With the Punjab Police dragging its feet on the issue and having no faith in the SIT formed to investigate the issue because the then Patiala SSP Nanak Singh was still in-charge and was not posted out, Colonel Bath finally moved Punjab and Haryana High Court which moved the investigation to Chandigarh. Sources say the SOP being worked out by the Punjab Police in consultation with Army will lay down certain ground rules which have to be kept in mind whenever there is a complaint against an Army person or where the complainant is an Army person. Senior officers say this is an attempt to streamline the existing checks and balances so that there is no occasion in the future where a repeat of the Patiala incident takes place. The Chandigarh Police has also come out with a SOP of its own for handling Army personnel by police officers. As per this detailed policy, it has been established to ensure that all interactions with Army Personnel are conducted in a lawful, professional, respectful, impartial, and transparent manner, whether the Army Personnel are complainants, accused, witnesses, or mediators or involved in any other capacity during the police proceedings by the police officers. The guidelines emphasise maintaining a respectful and courteous demeanor when dealing with defense personnel, ensuring prompt attention to their grievances, and providing necessary legal and logistical support. The SOP also addresses the procedures for handling army personnel involved in police proceedings, including notifications, investigations, arrests, and subsequent legal actions. Under the SOP, serving defence personnel cannot be arrested without permission from the central government unless they are involved in serious crimes such as rape, murder, or kidnapping, which are unrelated to their official duties. For all other offenses, the police must obtain prior permission. In the case of an arrest for a crime unrelated to their duty, the police must inform the nearest military station headquarters and provide details of the offense, arrest date, and place of detention. The Chandigarh Police SOP states that serving defence personnel cannot be arrested without permission from the Centre unless they are involved in serious crimes such as rape, murder, or kidnapping, which are unrelated to their official duties. In the case of an arrest for a crime unrelated to their duty, the police must inform the nearest military station headquarters and provide details of the offense, arrest date, and place of detention. 'When Army personnel are accused, then at the very outset the provisions of Section-42 of BNSS should be kept in mind, which provides protection of members of the Armed Forces from Arrest, the same should be followed in its true letter and spirit,' the SOP says. Notwithstanding, in other cases, due compliance should be made to the provisions of BNSS such as Section 35, 43, 47 & 48 etc. 'If the Army Personnel is on active duty, their military responsibilities must not be interfered with unless required by law. All actions taken, including arrests or legal proceedings, may also be reported in writing to the appropriate Army authorities other than the relatives and friends, if deemed necessary,' the SOP says. It emphasises that throughout the process, the individual must be treated with respect, personal dignity and use of reasonable force may only be undertaken, if becomes absolutely necessary. Further in case of female Army personnel the provisions of Section 43(5) BNSS should be strictly followed. To ensure effective communication and coordination, a DSP-rank officer will be the primary contact for all Army-related matters. A dedicated desk or branch, managed by the said DSP, would be established to handle such issues efficiently. 'In cases that are serious or sensitive, senior Army officers may be informed immediately to maintain transparency and trust. The police must maintain an updated list of liaison officers from nearby Army units to facilitate quick and effective coordination whenever required,' the SOP states.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
Smart City's optical fibre network declared ‘essential public service'
Nagpur: To curb the growing disruptions in the city's CCTV surveillance network, Nagpur Municipal Corporation administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari has directed all development agencies to treat the Smart City 's optical fibre network as an 'essential public service'. He emphasised that prior intimation and clearance must be sought before undertaking any excavation work that could potentially damage the network. The directive was issued during a workshop organised by Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) on Friday. The meeting, held at Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Hall, aimed to address the recurring issues of fibre cable damage caused during civic and infrastructure development works by multiple govt agencies. Chaudhari stated that over 3,600 CCTV cameras were installed at around 700 junctions under the 'Nagpur Safe and Smart City' project, and the fibre network supporting them is critical for maintaining law and order, especially during the monsoon. However, careless digging has led to frequent disruptions. To prevent this, the NSSCDCL drafted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which mandates that any agency planning excavation must first seek clearance from Smart City. A Smart City officer will then inspect the site and ensure that fibre cables remain unharmed. Speaking to TOI, a senior official familiar with the SOP explained, "Agencies have been blindly digging, damaging our cables. Now, before any excavation, they must approach Smart City. Our officer will supervise the location to prevent damage." The commissioner also highlighted that some departments have yet to submit their security deposits to restore the damaged fibre lines. A dedicated agency has been appointed to handle restoration work on behalf of Smart City, and all excavation must now be done only after consulting this team. Key officials from MSEDCL, BSNL, MahaMetro, zilla parishad, and MSRDC were present at the workshop. A senior Smart City official also shared technical insights, noting that damaged cameras affect both NMC and Nagpur police operations. The SOP will now be uniformly applicable to all city-level development works.
Economic Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
ECI issues SOP for EVM memory check, mock polls
The Election Commission has released a new procedure for checking Electronic Voting Machines. This follows orders from the Supreme Court. The process includes burnt memory checks and mock polls. It will first be used in Maharashtra's 2024 assembly elections. The verification process involves diagnostic checks and video recording. Losing candidates can request verification of some EVMs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Election Commission has issued a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the checking and verification (C&V) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including a burnt memory check and the option of a mock poll for the first two losing candidates, in line with Supreme Court orders dated May new protocol will first be applied to over 100 C&V applications from the fiercely contested 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, mostly filed by INDIA bloc SOP, issued on June 17 and circulated to all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), outlines the step-by-step process. Once the status of pending election petitions is confirmed and necessary High Court permissions are obtained, CEOs will share a summary with EVM manufacturers ECIL and BEL . The manufacturers must respond within two weeks with a district-wise C&V schedule, names of authorised engineers, and a designated district in-charge engineer who will sign off on the certificate of authenticity of the EVM's burnt memory and any unit fails the C&V process, a detailed report from the engineer and district election officer must be submitted to the Election Commission and the faulty unit stored separately. The process must be completed within four weeks of CEOs sharing EP status with verification will be limited to 20 Ballot Units, 10 Control Units, and 10 VVPATs per request. Diagnostic checks will cost ₹23,600 per EVM set, rising to ₹47,200 if a mock poll is included. This is a reduction from ₹40,000 during the 2024 Lok Sabha entire process, including the mock poll, will be video recorded and preserved for up to three months. However, this record will not be treated as "election papers" under Sections 93 and 94 of the Conduct of Election Rules, mock poll will be conducted only on EVMs that pass EC's self-diagnostic and mutual authentication tests. The machines will mirror the actual poll-day configuration, and a maximum of 1,400 votes may be cast by the applicant candidate. VVPAT slips from the mock poll will be counted and matched with results from the Control Unit by engineers from ECIL or BEL. Candidates may also choose to load their symbols on the the SC's April 26 ruling, the two losing candidates in each constituency can seek burnt memory verification in up to 5% of EVMs within seven days of the counting day. The original 2024 EC protocol was challenged for its effectiveness, leading to the court's May 9 order approving the enhanced procedure.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
ECI issues SOP for EVM memory check, mock polls
The Election Commission has issued a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the checking and verification (C&V) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), including a burnt memory check and the option of a mock poll for the first two losing candidates, in line with Supreme Court orders dated May 9. The new protocol will first be applied to over 100 C&V applications from the fiercely contested 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, mostly filed by INDIA bloc candidates. The SOP, issued on June 17 and circulated to all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), outlines the step-by-step process. Once the status of pending election petitions is confirmed and necessary High Court permissions are obtained, CEOs will share a summary with EVM manufacturers ECIL and BEL . The manufacturers must respond within two weeks with a district-wise C&V schedule, names of authorised engineers, and a designated district in-charge engineer who will sign off on the certificate of authenticity of the EVM's burnt memory and microcontroller. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Cipinang Muara (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo If any unit fails the C&V process, a detailed report from the engineer and district election officer must be submitted to the Election Commission and the faulty unit stored separately. The process must be completed within four weeks of CEOs sharing EP status with manufacturers. The verification will be limited to 20 Ballot Units, 10 Control Units, and 10 VVPATs per request. Diagnostic checks will cost ₹23,600 per EVM set, rising to ₹47,200 if a mock poll is included. This is a reduction from ₹40,000 during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Live Events The entire process, including the mock poll, will be video recorded and preserved for up to three months. However, this record will not be treated as "election papers" under Sections 93 and 94 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The mock poll will be conducted only on EVMs that pass EC's self-diagnostic and mutual authentication tests. The machines will mirror the actual poll-day configuration, and a maximum of 1,400 votes may be cast by the applicant candidate. VVPAT slips from the mock poll will be counted and matched with results from the Control Unit by engineers from ECIL or BEL. Candidates may also choose to load their symbols on the VVPAT. Following the SC's April 26 ruling, the two losing candidates in each constituency can seek burnt memory verification in up to 5% of EVMs within seven days of the counting day. The original 2024 EC protocol was challenged for its effectiveness, leading to the court's May 9 order approving the enhanced procedure.
News18
18 hours ago
- News18
West Bengal Police Issue SOP For 'Zero FIR' To Ensure Faster Justice; What Does It Say?
Last Updated: Traditionally, many complaints faced delays or outright rejection when filed at police stations outside the jurisdiction of the incident In an important move to streamline police procedures and reduce delays in the registration of criminal cases, the West Bengal police have introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Zero FIR. The new guideline, applicable across all police stations in the state, aims to ensure that cognisable offences can be registered immediately, regardless of where the incident occurred. Traditionally, many complaints faced delays or outright rejection when filed at police stations outside the jurisdiction of the incident. To address this issue, the provision of Zero FIR has been introduced under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. What is a Zero FIR? A Zero FIR is a First Information Report registered at any police station, irrespective of territorial jurisdiction. The FIR is later transferred to the appropriate police station for investigation. This provision ensures victims are not denied justice due to jurisdictional technicalities. Key features of the SOP on Zero FIR: Immediate Registration: Police must accept information about cognizable offences—whether oral, written, or electronic—without delay. If the information is received electronically, the informant must visit the station within three days to sign the complaint. 24-Hour Transfer Deadline: Registered Zero FIRs must be transferred to the concerned police station within 24 hours. All physical documents and evidence must be sent within 48 hours. Strict Monitoring and Accountability: Each police station must maintain a 'Zero FIR Conversion Register." Any refusal to register an FIR based on jurisdiction will be considered negligence and may attract penalties under the new law. Nodal Officers: Every district (SP/CP) must appoint a nodal officer to oversee timely registration, transfer, and conversion of Zero FIRs. This SOP, issued under Section 173(1) of the BNSS, 2023, reflects a nationwide effort to promote victim-centric policing and ensure accountability in law enforcement. Experts Weigh In Legal experts and police reform advocates have welcomed the move, saying the new SOP will make filing FIRs easier and more accessible for ordinary citizens. 'People often don't know which police station has jurisdiction over their complaint. This reform allows them to approach any police station without hesitation," said a senior legal expert. 'It will especially benefit victims in remote or urgent situations who might otherwise be turned away." With the implementation of the Zero FIR SOP, the West Bengal police are expected to significantly reduce delays in the registration of criminal cases and improve public trust in the policing system. First Published: June 20, 2025, 20:26 IST
