NEW DELHI: Delhi Police seems to be turning hypocritical of its initiative to root out corruption. In a major blow to transparency in operations, people have been banned from carrying mobile phones, pens and diaries to police stations fearing they may be used to record the actions of cops.

Ironically, this step is in stark contrast to the force’s advertisements in which it has been asking citizens to record bribe demands and complain on the helpline and WhatsApp number to report cases of corruption.

When the advertisement was first released, a slew of ‘sting operations’ were conducted by people and the recordings of policemen accepting/demanding bribes were sent to the helpline and WhatsApp number. The sudden enthusiasm of people, however, soon led Delhi Police to retract and issue a directive banning mobile phones at police stations across the city.

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat could not be reached for comment. However, sources said that the directive was issued on Tuesday stating that every SHO should put up a notice on the list of items banned outside the police station for the convenience of visitors.

On Tuesday, guards were put up at the gates to frisk complainants entering the police station with the “banned items”. Several men, women and elderly, who had come to lodge complaints, either had to return home to keep the banned items or had to arrange for a person to hold their mobile phones till they returned.

When TOI visited several police stations — Madhu Vihar, Mandawali, Model Town, Jehangirpuri, Dwarka, etc — policemen were seen stopping people entering with mobile phones. Even more shocking was that people carrying simple ballpoint pens, bags and diaries were also asked to leave them with someone outside before entering the premises.

Investigating officers have been asked to meet complainants in public areas with their files instead of calling them to their offices. Mobile phones were not allowed even when people met investigating officers in contradiction to an appeal by Delhi Police vigilance department encouraging complainants to record demands for bribe by policemen.

A senior police officer said that the decision was taken to limit exposure of ‘sensitive files’ kept with investigating officers to the general public. “There have been incidents where people have entered restricted sections and clicked photographs or recorded conversations and later publicized them leading to unnecessary problems,” said a police officer.

“Every area in the police station is not meant for the public. We have to keep in mind security issues as sensitive files contain information about individuals and their identities need to be protected,” added another officer.

