Thiruvananthapuram: Officials in the Indian state of Kerala have admitted that there has been a ‘parallel’ policing in existence in Kochi, the state’s commercial capital.
In a reference to the ‘parallel’ policing being allegedly run by a retired superintendent of police, Sunil Jacob, the state director-general of police, T.P. Sen Kumar submitted to the Kerala High Court that such a system cannot be permitted.
The DGP said the parallel system was affecting the credibility of the state’s police force.
The state police chief’s submission follows a similar statement given to the court by the state government last week.
Allegations against Jacob are that a detective agency he is running is helping settle cases against alleged criminal elements.
The private agency is also accused of taking assistance from police officials who are currently in employment in the state police force.
Sen Kumar submitted to the court a report regarding the issue, prepared by the state intelligence department.
Jacob’s private detective agency has been in existence for a number of years.
The main allegation against Jacob’s agency is that some police officials attached to the assistant police commissioner’s office in Kochi provide details about cases that are registered there to Jacob’s agency. The private agency then summons those involved and sorts out the cases.
Jacob has, however, denied the allegations and argued that he was being victimised by some vested interests who had enmity with him during his tenure as a police officer.
State home minister Ramesh Chennithala said parallel policing could not be tolerated in the state.
“There is nothing wrong in retired police officers running security agencies, but those firms cannot function as a parallel police force,” Chennithala said.
