AHMEDABAD: The state government has informed the Gujarat high court that a dedicated helpline number, 14449, has been established for people to lodge complaints against police personnel. This announcement was made in response to a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) before the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee.
The state government’s affidavit stated that the Union ministry of communications has allotted the shortcode 14449 to the state government as a helpline number for complaints of police misconduct. However, the helpline has yet to be activated due to technical glitches, which are expected to be resolved within 15 days.
Once the helpline is operational, it will serve as an independent platform for individuals to report incidents of police misconduct, functioning round-the-clock similar to the existing 100 helpline. However, concerns were raised by Krina Kalla, representing amicus curiae Shalin Mehta, who pointed out that the number ‘14449’ may be difficult for people to remember and suggested a rhyming number instead.
In response, Advocate General Kamal Trivedi argued that ‘14449’ is a better option compared to ‘1064,’ the helpline number for the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Trivedi acknowledged that the issuance of special numbers is the prerogative of the central government and assured the court that the new helpline number will be widely publicized.
The high court has scheduled another hearing for February 15 regarding this matter. This suo motu PIL was initiated following an incident in which police and TRB jawans allegedly extorted Rs 60,000 from a family near the Ognaj toll plaza in Ahmedabad last year.
During the proceedings, another case of extortion by policemen was highlighted, involving an individual who had come to Gujarat to watch the cricket World Cup final. The state government had previously proposed various options, including an extension of the existing 100 helpline. However, Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee insisted on a dedicated helpline specifically for complaints against police and TRB jawans, separate from the existing helpline numbers for general police assistance, reporting emergencies, and reporting corrupt government officials.
In summary, the state government has decided on a dedicated helpline number, 14449, for individuals to lodge complaints against police personnel. Despite some technical delays, the helpline is expected to be activated within 15 days. This new helpline will function independently, enabling people to report incidents of police misconduct 24/7. The high court has shown a strong resolve to address the issue of police misconduct and extortion, emphasizing the need for a distinct helpline number to foster accountability and transparency.
