New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre to expeditiously approve the proposal by city police for the induction of over 16,000 additional officers, including a dedicated force for crime investigation.

A bench of justices B.D. Ahmad and Sanjeev Sachdeva expressed happiness over the separation of crime investigation from law and order duties, saying “this will go a long way in providing better investigation of crime, resulting in the actual perpetrators being convicted finally by courts of law”.

It also hoped that the dedicated force will comprise of people “having requisite investigative skills” and suggested that they be trained in “special investigative techniques” by keeping in mind the modern investigation methods and the different kinds of crimes being committed.

It also directed the central government to expedite the other 14 priority proposals sent by Delhi police for 11,962 more posts, saying the entire exercise be preferably completed by May 20, the next date of hearing.

On installation of CCTV cameras, the court directed that once the vulnerable areas are identified by Delhi police, the cameras should be installed within two months.

It said that while installing the cameras “special regard be given to maintaining privacy of individuals” and that CCTV be installed in public areas “without encroaching upon privacy of people”.

The court, however, was not happy over method of procuring equipment for Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSL), saying it was a “major problem” which requires some “thinking” by the government.

The bench made the observation after the Delhi government said it needs to procure equipment with regard to audio-video, computer forensics and DNA testing, for its RFSL at Yashwant Place here, and approval for these have to be sought afresh as the ones granted earlier have lapsed.

The government said they will have to see whether prices have fallen before seeking fresh clearance.

To this the court responded, “This is a major problem with this country. An expensive equipment may be better, but we are stuck with a third class equipment as it was the cheapest [during procurement].”

The court, thereafter, directed the city government’s finance department to “expedite the necessary sanctions for procurement” for equipment for Yashwant Place RFSL and hoped that it “shall be completed in two months”.

With regard to RFSL at Rohini, the court directed the Fire department and the city government’s finance department to expedite grant of no objection certificate and approvals, respectively.

Regarding RFSL at Sayurpur here, the court directed DDA to conclude verification of title with respect to handing over additional 5000 square meters of land within six weeks.

Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was also directed to give land to Delhi government for approach road to Sheikh Sarai RFSL within two months.

On recruitment of more people for manning RFSLs and Crime Scene Management Division, the court directed Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board and Union Public Service Commission “to expedite selection process”.

On March 20, the city police had told the court that it will first install CCTV cameras at all vulnerable locations in the 44 red-flagged areas in the national capital once it finished survey of the sites and worked out the technical specifications.