Bootleggers outpace portly Punjab cops, High Court orders training

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5

Bootleggers are faster than the cops in Punjab. In 1,727 FIRs registered under the Excise Act, the accused, including the elderly, managed to outpace the overweight cops and flee from the spot, raising questions about their physical fitness.

In an attempt to ensure that their fitness levels are up in the long run, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed imparting of training under medical supervision to both men and women cops.

To begin with, the training was directed to be imparted to cops below 40 years of age. Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan asked the Director, Bureau of Investigation, to file an affidavit. He was asked to seek a report from all Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) in the districts regarding the actual physical fitness training imparted to the overweight police officials, who could not run to catch the suspects in such cases.

Justice Sangwan also asked the Director to depose about the procedure established for taking action against the SHO or the investigating officer concerned in case a suspect succeeded in running away from the spot in cases under the Excise Act the or NDPS Act. Details were also sought of the action taken in all such matters.

Justice Sangwan made it clear that the affidavit, along with photographs and videos, should clearly bring out the actual physical training to keep the overweight police officials physically fit.

Justice Sangwan said some explanation had been furnished based on information sought from police officials, but that did not reflect anything about the actual action taken to improve the physical fitness of the police officials deputed on such duties.