Take action against policemen, who demanded 'hafta': High Court

New Delhi, Sept 20 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today pulled up the Delhi Police for not taking action against some policemen who had allegedly demanded 'hafta' from the street children selling various items on the footpath near historic Connaught Place in the capital.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Kailash Gambhir said, ''We are not satisfied with your parrot-like answers. You should have taken action when these street children lodged complaints against your staff on demand of hafta(bribe).'' ''A child has dared to lodge a complaint when elders are scared to go to the police,'' observed the bench while asking the police to investigate and file a reply by November 15, the next date of hearing.

Abdul Shakeel Basa of Aaman Biradari, an NGO of Mongalpuri in his PIL alleged that ''Some of the policemen posted at Connaught Place police station pick up street children from the park and footpath; and extort money from them.'' ''If they do not pay, they are either beaten up or kept illegally in the lock-up for several days,'' said the petition seeking direction for a probe and action against the policemen resorting to corrupt practices.

When the Delhi Police Counsel submitted a report exonarating the policemen on the statements of the shopkeepers of the area, the bench directed the police to conduct a proper probe and file a report.

Giving specific instances, the petition alleged that on December 10, 2005 three policemen of the Connaught Place police station had beaten up a child when he refused to pay 'hafta' to them.

On the night of December 14, two children were picked up and left at an unknown place in Gurgaon in neighbouring state as they also refused to give them bribe, alleged the petition.

Even in some police stations these street children are put to work at construction sites without payment, added the petition.

UNI PAT MZR MIR BS1802