Punjab Additional Director-General of Police (NRI) RK Jaiswal admitted that the ground-level situation is "extremely bad".
Punjab NRI Cell Under Fire: High Court Slams ‘Alarming’ Practice of FIRs via Email
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has raised a red flag over an alarming trend of the Punjab Police NRI Cell registering FIRs based solely on email complaints without proper verification.
Justice Alok Jain, regarding a petition involving an NRI dispute, observed that the current system lacks a "cautious and balanced approach". The Court stressed that legal processes are being increasingly misused for "illegal enrichment" rather than genuine justice.
During the hearing, Punjab Additional Director-General of Police (NRI) RK Jaiswal admitted that the ground-level situation is "extremely bad".
The ADGP noted that while many women are victims of marriage fraud, there is an increasing trend of both men and women using the NRI Cell to settle personal scores or harass the opposite party even after settling disputes abroad.
Justice Jain asserted that the purpose of the law is to protect citizens and not to facilitate extortion. The Court has now directed the Punjab government to frame a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) within three months to ensure that allegations are verified before an FIR is lodged.
The Court ordered that any settlement money received by a complainant must be kept in a fixed deposit (FDR) and not utilised until the case reaches a legal conclusion, ensuring parties do not resile from their terms. The matter is adjourned to April 21.
Source: The Tribune
