
From next week, you can walk into any police station every Saturday and raise your complaints on public safety and policing directly before officers. To make this possible, Delhi Police, following directions from Lieutenant Governor (LG) Taranjit Singh Sandhu
, is set to organise a weekly “Thana Divas-Jan Sunwai” every Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at every police station starting next week.
The initiative, officers said, will offer a dedicated platform to address safety concerns, strengthen public outreach, improve accessibility of police services, and ensure prompt redressal of complaints.
A circular issued by Commissioner of Police Satish Golcha on Saturday lays down a detailed framework for conducting the public hearings and monitoring grievance disposal. Held every Saturday at every police station, the programme will allow people to present complaints, suggestions, requests for assistance, and issues related to police functioning and public safety, officers said.
To ensure accountability, supervisory officers from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) up to Special Commissioner of Police will be required to attend the hearings on a rotational basis. Their presence, officers said, is intended to facilitate quicker resolution of complaints and strengthen public confidence in the grievance redressal mechanism.
The circular further states that every complainant attending the Jan Sunwai must be heard, irrespective of whether their complaint has already been registered on the police’s Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS), with complaints received during hearings to be subsequently uploaded on the system.
On the ground, police stations have been directed to maintain separate records of grievances received during the public hearings. Matters requiring inquiry, verification, or field action are to be assigned immediately and disposed of within a reasonable timeframe, while pending grievances will be reviewed periodically by the concerned ACPs and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).
To further ensure a smooth experience for complainants, Station House Officers (SHOs) have been directed to arrange proper seating, assistance desks, and a people-friendly environment.
Disposal of grievances will be closely monitored, and any delay, negligence, or casual handling of complaints will be viewed seriously. District DCPs, ACPs, and SHOs have been made responsible for implementation of the programme, officers said.
In addition, each district will be required to submit a fortnightly report on the conduct of “Thana Divas-Jan Sunwai”, covering the number of grievances received, disposed of, and pending, along with significant issues identified, to the Vigilance Division and the concerned Joint Commissioner of Police every Monday, officers said.
Meanwhile, District DCPs, have been asked to publicise the initiative through police station notice boards, social media platforms, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Market Welfare Associations, and beat staff to maximise participation.