Kolkata: Kolkata Police has directed all divisional deputy commissioners to appoint an SI with sound legal knowledge as the legal coordination officer at every police station within its jurisdiction.
Under this new directive, each PS must designate a sub-inspector as a legal coordination officer to prevent procedural lapses.
These newly appointed officers will work closely with public prosecutors and ensure the attendance of investigating officers at court proceedings.
The order also emphasised that no court hearings should proceed without police presence. Officers in charge must oversee the timely submission of affidavits and court-requested responses.
Kolkata Police has even instituted additional safeguards requiring all case-related instructions from courts to be reported to the detective department’s law cell.
All police stations must obtain written approval from their respective divisions before submitting any reports or affidavits to courts.
Deputy Commissioners will monitor the implementation of these new protocols. Kolkata Police emphasised strict adherence, with regular reviews to ensure compliance across all police stations.
The directive follows the handling of a couple of cases that drew criticism from the High Court. The measures will strengthen legal procedures, prevent future miscommunications and maintain the credibility of the entire department.
