WHAT IS CRIME ?

The main duty of the police is Prevention and  Detection of Crime and maintenance of Law and Order.
 
              Prevention is better than Cure, so goes and old saying of wisdom.

Crime is usually compartmentalized as crime against the Body and against Property.

Crime against body would usually include abusive language and threat to life and dire consequences (Sec.405.506. IPC) simple injury and threat , simple injury by sharp cutting weapon(Sec.324 IPC), grievous injury including fracture, loss of limb, etc.(Sec.325 IPC), grievous injury by blunt substance, administration of poison etc.(Sec 328 IPC), attempt of murder(Sec.307 IPC.) , homicide not amounting to murder(Sec.299 IPC) and murder (Sec 302 IPC). Except for the offenses committed under sections 504,506 & 323 IPC, all other offenses under the remaining sections of law are cognizable.  

Crime can be Cognizable or Non-Cognizable    Difference between a cognizable and a non-cognizable offence is that  in a non-cognizable offence the Police cannot arrest a person without orders of the court, i.e. without a Court warrant and can investigate into the case only on the express directions of the court to that effect. Therefore, the experience is that in a non-cognizable offence the Police Station officer records the complaint as a non-cognizable offense, commonly referred as a N.C., and advises the complaint or victim to apporach the court for further directions.
 
   In a cognizable offense the police can take cognizance of the offense on its own i.e. it need not wait for the court orders as the law envisages that in such offences permission of the court to the police to investigate the crime is implicit.  

Bailable & Non-bailable Some of these offenses are Bailable i.e. after arrest the accused can apply for bail to the police station officer and under normal circumstances the police should grant bail after obtaining proper sureties.

In a Non-Bailabale offense, which is of a more serious nature, the police has to produce the accused before the nearest Judicial Magistrate to obtain police custody remand.

Whenever an accused is produce before the court in a non-bailable offense, the court decides in its wisdom for the issue of granting bail or remanding the accused to either police custody or Megisterial custody.

Similarly offences against property against Property are thefts from open public spaces (Sec.379 IPC), theft from the house (Sec. 380 IPC)

The philosophy of Cognizable & Non - Cognizable and Bailable & Non-bailable offences is the same in the offences against Property as well as all other offences.

Schedule II of the Criminal Procedure Code provides a ready reckoner in this regard.

FREE LEGAL AID

An accused is entitled to free legal aid.For free legal aid , the following can be contacted - District Legal Aid Committee Shivajinagar District Court Compound Pune-411005  

Surety in a bailable/ non-bailable offence means a person who stands surety to produce the accused as and when wanted by the Court/Police in connection with that particular matter/crime. It is defined by section 436 of Cr.P.C.(Chapter XXXIII)

In case the surety fulfill his/her obligation, the courts can proceed against them as per the procedure laid in Sectio 446 of Cr.P.C.

Prevent Auto Theft

To a thief there is nothing more welcomed than a  car .  It's a self-propelled,fully equipped speedy machine ready  for a fast get-away.

The owner or an authorized driver of a car should not leave the vehicle unattended without locking the ignition or removing the key. A subsanctional number of automobiles are stolen because drivers fail to remove the ignition key.

How to give the thief a hard time !

•  Park in a well lit area.
• Roll-up the windows & lock all doors.
• Activate any theft deterrent device that you may have.
• Put packages or valuables out of sight.
• Do not leave behind license, registration documents, car title papers etc. in car.If left behind in the car, they become an added incentive for  thieves to sell your car.
• If you have a  garage, please use it. Lock both car as well as your garage.

Purse Snatch

• Do not carry a bag that makes you a target. A big  bag that dangles from the shoulder can be easily yanked off from behind.
• If you, unfortunately so, become a victim of a purse snatch do not fight to hold onto your bag. Especially when the theif is armed.
• Do not carry your bag in such a manner that you can't let-go off instantly . Many women have been injured because their own bags have acted as hand-cuffs while a purse snatcher yanked it away.
• Do be aware of your surroundings and carry your bag close to your body, preferably tucked under  your elbow.
• Do minimize the amount of money and credit cards that you carry with you on daily basis . Divide your money between pockets and bags.

While you are Driving :

• Keep windows rolled up except for a small ventilation space and keep your doors locked.
• If someone attempts to force you off the road, don't panic. Blow your horn constantly to attract attention.If you are forced over, then as soon as you stop the car put it in reverse and back  away while continuously blowing the horn and moving away as much as possible.
• If you suspect that someone is following you attempt a few turns/detours down busy streets if possible.
• Try to park your car in a well lit area. This is not only good from the standpoint of discouraging  a personal attack on you but also for reducing the chance of auto-theft.
• Before getting into your car please peep inside to make sure that nobody is hiding in the back seat.

In order to secure your car several devices may be installed to prevent theft of the car or any of its parts or contents. Anti-theft devices are surely going to deter/frighten the inexperienced theif.
 

• Ignition Cut-off : A key-operated or hidden manual switch that interrupts the power supply from the battery to the ignition.

• Fuel cut-off : Integrated into the fuel line. This device prevents the flow of gasoline once the fuel in the gasoline is used. Only a special key deactivates the cut-off.

• Ignition Column Guard : This security device can provide protection to the ignition starting system. The device fits around the steering column and the ignition starting system.

• Auto-Theft steering Wheel Lock - Locks as well as prevents steering wheel from turning. Its high visibility deters theft.

Personal Safety
Proper maintenance of your vehicle will prevent routine breakdowns thereby avoiding vulnerable situations.

Check the following items on a routine basis:
 

• Tyre wear and pressure .
• Oil and brake fluid levels.
• Battery fluid.
• Radiator water level.The following  items should be in your vehicle at all times  for  emergency situations.
• Screwdriver.
• Pliers.
• Jack/Spare tire.
• Battery jumper cables and procedure for boosting.
• Auto insurance card.
• First aid  Kit  and blanket.

Pune Police Department would like to make your visit  to our exciting city as pleasant and as safe as possible. You can further help us  by following these simple tips while touring in Pune.
 

• Carry a wallet in an inside jacket or side trouser pocket. Never in the rear pocket.
• Carry pocketbooks in the bend of your elbow, held closely to your body.
• Keep pocketbooks on your lap while dining out .
• Leave valuables and important documents, such as jewllery and passport, secured in your hotels' safe deposit.
• Be wary of unexpected persons coming to your hotel room.Never open the door to unsolicited room service or maintenance people.
• If you have scheduled  a meeting  with a potential client , research the company and the individual with whom you are meeting.
• Make sure that luggage is given only to members of the hotel's bell staff and a receipt is obtained for the stored luggage.