Diva gangrape impact: RPF to instal cameras at 38 outposts on Central Railway

Diva gangrape impact: RPF to instal cameras at 38 outposts on Central Railway

MUMBAI: In the wake of the Diva gangrape case where a 25-year-old woman pressed charges against four Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, the top brass has decided instal electronic surveillance at 38 outposts on Central Railway. The footage will have to be viewed by the inspector in-charge every morning.

At present, only key RPF outposts are covered with CCTV cameras.

At minor railway stations, such as Diva, RPF outposts are located away from the platform and manned only by one or two staffers at night; it's often difficult for the in-charge to know what happened in his absence. "Though the gangrape charge is still being probed by the Mumbra police, we want to ensure that such an incident never happens again," said AK Singh, chief security commissioner (RPF) CR.

Budgetary allocations were made under the Nirbhaya Fund this year to instal CCTV cameras at railway stations that didn't have electronic surveillance. Senior officials said a portion of the fund will be used to instal cameras at the RPF outposts.

In 2015, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre and state governments to instal CCTV cameras at local police stations and in interrogation rooms to prevent custodial torture. "We decided to use the same principal at our outposts. Cameras will be placed at the entrance of the outpost in such a manner as to capture all goings-on inside. The idea is to prevent instances of custodial torture or molestation of a complainant or accused Each camera is IP-based. This means the footage can also be viewed at the headquarters. The cameras should serve as a deterrant," said a senior official. "We will also sensitize our staffers."

The only hitch is that the videorecording would stay maximum for a month, before being overwritten. This won't help in cases where complainants come forward much after the incident.

Source:TOI