In role reversal, criminals monitor city police

To counter police surveillance network of CCTVs, criminals in the city are using own CCTVs to track movements of local police around their hideouts and to evade raids.

This trend came to light in the posh southern part of the city where a gambling racket was operating full time, but managed to get a clean chit every time the police paid a surprise visit.

The police later received input about CCTV cameras installed around the gamblers’ hideout in Vasant Gaon area and planned a secret operation, a senior official said.

However, things only got worse as a woman, who allegedly sheltered the gang, confronted the police team and accused them of harassing her, that too by entering the premises of her house, and to support her claims, she had CCTV grabs.

The terrified beat officials went back to the police station and reported the matter, compelling the station in-charge to take up the issue with senior officials.

“It has been observed that criminals involved in sale of illicit liquor, running gambling rackets and selling drugs, have installed CCTV cameras in their houses to keep a check on the movements of the beat constables of the area. If any beat constable dares to enter the premises forcibly, they would use these CCTV cameras as evidence, alleging that the policemen had gone there to demand money or harassment caused to women living in the premises,” DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said.

In late April, the special task force of South district was assigned the job of tracking such gangs and bringing them to book. In around 10 days, the special team busted three such cases, including another gambling racket, an illicit liquor supplier and a marijuana peddling ring.

The marijuana ring, busted in Sangam Vihar area, was allegedly headed by a 50-year-old woman who had installed CCTV cameras in and around her shanty from where the dealings took place. She wrapped up within seconds every time her informers, who were tasked with monitoring the footage, informed her of police presence, a senior officer said.

The CCTV cameras in all three cases were very str-ategically positioned and well-covered with sacks, rugs and gunny bags and the lenses left exposed for unhindered surveillance.