1,850 cops still at home', PIL filed

Mumbai:  A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court alleging that 1,850 retired police personnel have not vacated their houses after their retirement because of which some 2,500 personel are waiting for staff quarters in Mumbai. 

The HC has asked the state and police commissioner to file a reply within four weeks. The petitioner, Sunil Toke alleged that arrears of rent from the family of a retired police personnel should be recovered. 

According to the petition, police quarters are not distributed by natural justice among the police department.  The petitioner alleged that some police constables and clerks, who are staying in one specific room, are  acting as agents in distributing the police quarters. 

The petition stated that class 3 police staff has to travel 80 to 100 km daily to attend their jobs but don’t get staff quarters in Mumbai.

The petitioner also alleged that, as per the government circular of March 1, 2015, if a person retires from service, they have to vacate their respective rooms within three months. If they fail to do so, then '50 rent per square feet is applicable for the next three months. But that rent is not being collected since many years by the senior police officers.

The petitioner also said that the police commissioner is duty bound to look after the basic needs of the class 3 police and to take firm steps to resolve the issue of police personnel without house.

Toke also sought that HC should call for all the records of the retired police officers staying at quarters in Mumbai and correspondents made to them to collect rent per square feet. He sought that direction should be given to the chief secretary to take action against them. He also sought that state should give staff quarters to the police personnel who are in waiting list according to their seniority.  He also sought long term arrears from retired police officers’ family should be recover applying due process of law.