more-in A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed in the Madras High Court Bench here seeking a direction to the Chief Secretary to issue necessary instructions to the Home Secretary, Director General of Police and other officials to attend to spurt in criminal activities and take stringent action against those involved in offences such as theft, chain snatching, robbery, rape, murder, contract killing and murder for gain. The petition filed by R.K. Basker (49) of Kamarajar Salai here has been listed for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices A. Selvam and N. Authinathan on Thursday. According to the petitioner, the government machinery and the police department had done very little to keep criminal activities in control despite a specific order passed by the court on another PIL petition, filed by one K.K. Ramesh of Madurai, on September 25, 2015. He pointed out that while disposing of the 2015 case, a Division Bench of the court had said: “We only expect the Home Secretary and DGP to take stock of the nature of complaint which affects the public at large. Murder has become a common feature. It is reported in the newspaper today that one history sheeter has been murdered by another history sheeter right outside the District Court campus in Dindigul. No sole incident “It is not a sole incident. Such incidents happen quite often when the accused are brought to the court. Even people involved in crimes seem to take law into their own hands to settle scores. Therefore, the law and order situation requires serious introspection by the authorities. It is for the DGP to ensure that DSPs take necessary steps to curb such unlawful and criminal activities. “It is in the realm of the government to increase police stations and police strength by keeping in mind the population and the need for safety and security of the public at large... We only expect the government to be more responsive and take note of the large number of crimes that are reported and unearth unreported crimes. The State Crime Records Bureau would have all relevant data. We leave it open to the wise decision of the government to deal with the matter with sincerity and earnestness in public interest.”

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