THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a new categorisation of 'grave crimes', the state police chief has directed his officials that all cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) should be investigated by a police officer in the DySP rank. Counterfeit currency cases involving international links, cases of attack on women by husband or relatives and dowry deaths are others to be probed by the DySP under the new classification. Similarly, many cases, including robbery and narcotic substances, have been reclassified based on the cost factors and the quantum involved.
Incidentally, the state recently witnessed a row over registering a UAPA case against activist Nadeer. The case was allegedly initiated by local police without consulting higher-ups. As per the revised classification, robbery, housebreaking and thefts in which value of the property is Rs 10 lakh or above and ordinary thefts of properties worth Rs 20 lakh and above would be considered as grave and needed to be probed by an officer in the circle inspector rank. Earlier it was Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively. All hit-and-run cases in which the accused and vehicles are not known even after 24-hours of the registration of the case will be hereafter considered as grave and probed by a circle inspector-level officer.
Earlier only hit and run cases in which more than two persons were killed were considered grave. Such cases would also be investigated by a circle inspector rank officer even if the vehicle and the accused were traced within 24 hours. While all offences under NDPS Act came under the category earlier, as per the revised norms, only NDPS cases involving material object of one kg or more fit the bill needing probe by a circle inspector. Cheating cases involving Rs 50 lakh would only come under the category, instead of Rs 25 lakh. Police sources said the new guidelines were issued considering various factors including the increase in gold prices, income levels and the workload of police officers.
