Converting a Judge’s letter narrating his experience with the police emergency helpline number into a public interest litigation, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Centre and Delhi Police to the Judge’s statement that distress calls were going unanswered or being put on hold.

Justice Vipin Sanghi of the High Court had recently written a letter to Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma, pointing out that his calls to emergency number 100 went unanswered when he was stuck in a traffic jam on April 29 night. The Judge said any call made to the emergency number should be answered immediately.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath issued notices on the PIL and asked the Union government and Delhi Police to file their replies by July 18 with regard to the issues raised by Justice Sanghi in connection with his experience.

The court wondered what would happen to the common man dialling 100 in emergency, when there was no answer to a call made by a Judge.

“It is a serious issue... You need to look into it [in order] to make the service effective and efficient,” observed the Bench.

According to Justice Sanghi's letter, he called Mr. Verma as well, but his phone number also went unanswered. The Judge requested the Police Commissioner to inquire into the aspect highlighted by him and provide feedback to him.