Should the protection be provided to the VIPs free of cost?
10 Oct, 2013In reply to an application filed under the Right to Information Act by activist Chetan Kothari, the information provided by Mumbai Police shows that at least 30 prominent people of Mumbai provided with security by the police have defaulted in paying dues for their protection.
The list of defaulters include many prominent people from various walks of life such as Builders, advocates, journalists, corporators and even MPs, with the list being topped by advocate Majid Memon. He owes dues to the tune of Rs. 58 lakh for the police protection provided between April 1, 2005, and August 31, 2013. Sunil Jain owes Rs. 32,67,812, Rajendra Vani owes Rs. 15,17,136, Vijay Kamble owes Rs. 9,86,711, Madhu Sanghvi owes Rs. 9,00,552, corporator Sharad Pawar owes Rs. 8,44,300 and Abhijit Rane owes Rs. 7,78,082.
Protection is provided to individuals by the Mumbai Police if:
· The threat perception to the person has been estimated by the police itself, through its sources or
· The person himself has complained to the police
The threat perception to the individual is reviewed on every quarter. In case of protection is provided to the person on the basis of their own complain, they are charged for the security cover provided to them.