Starting June 20, Delhi Lt Governor T.S. Sandhu has instructed all police stations in Delhi to hold public hearings every Saturday to address complaints and assist with matters concerning police operations and public safety. Known as “Thana Divas-Jan Sunwai,” these sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at each police station, aiming to improve public outreach and make police services more accessible.
The initiative, as per a circular issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, will provide a platform for the public to voice grievances, complaints, suggestions, requests for assistance, and issues related to police operations and public safety. This move is part of an effort to enhance structured public grievance redressal, strengthen police-public interaction, and increase accountability across all levels.
The campaign seeks to establish a structured mechanism for addressing complaints, receiving suggestions, and promptly handling local public safety concerns. Emphasizing a public-centric and interactive policing approach, the initiative aims to address public grievances effectively and boost community trust in law enforcement, according to a statement from Lok Niwas.
To ensure effective supervision and accountability, senior police officers ranging from Special Commissioners to Assistant Commissioners are mandated to attend the Jan Sunwai sessions on a rotational basis, as outlined in the guidelines issued by Police Commissioner Golcha. The presence of these officers is crucial for expeditiously resolving grievances and reinforcing public trust in the grievance redressal process.
Police stations are required to maintain a separate information sheet to record grievances received during the public hearings, following prescribed formats. Commissioner Golcha stressed the importance of prompt action, stating that grievances necessitating inquiry, verification, or field action must be promptly assigned and resolved within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, pending grievances will be regularly reviewed by the respective ACP and DCP to ensure timely resolution.
Furthermore, all Station House Officers (SHOs) are directed to ensure appropriate seating arrangements, assistance desks, and a welcoming environment during the Thana Divas-Jan Sunwai sessions. The Commissioner emphasized that every complainant attending the Jan Sunwai will be heard, regardless of whether their complaint is registered on the Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS) or not. Complaints received during these sessions will be accepted and subsequently uploaded onto the ICMS platform.
