Crime Stoppers launched in Bangalore

Crime Stoppers launched in Bangalore

Saturday July 12 2008 09:23 IST Express News Service


BANGALORE: Bangalore can expect to be a crime-free city, with the launch of the internationally-renowned Crime Stoppers agency.

The Karnataka chapter of the agency, which promises to curb crime in the State and Bangalore city, was launched by Home Minister Dr V S Acharya in Bangalore on Friday.

The agency, which is headed by former IGP and Director of AP Forensic Lab Dr KPC Gandhi, has big names like former chief secretary A Ravindra as chairman, and secretary S Krishna Murthy, who retired as former DGP. DG and IG Srikumar said that Police department would take stringent measures to prevent crime and maintain peace. He announced the launch of a new website — www.ksp.gov.in, which will help public lodge complaints online.

``Online registration of FIRs will be started soon. This website also has a link to the Crime Stoppers website, where people can get their own logins and lodge complaints, give information about any criminal activity,’’ he said. Minister V S Acharya said: ‘‘We require free press, independent judiciary and efficient administration to prevent crime.’’ He stressed the importance of improved manpower and support from the public to curb crime.

Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said: ‘’Crime Stoppers is similar to Lokayukta. In Karnataka, Lokayukta has shown tremendous improvement in the last few years, mainly because we have received information from the public about government officials. It is very easy for people to know when a government official has accumulated wealth more than his income.’’

Lokayukta had launched a website— www.lokayukta.kr.nic.in, which would help people inform about malpractices under anonymity. The site could be accessed only by the Lokayukta and ADGP, he added.

Rtd chief justice of Supreme Court M N Venkatachalaiah was present at the function.