Newly Transferred IPS Officer 'Punishes' Junior Cop For Not Recognizing Her In Civil Dress
Aishwarya Dongre IPS, the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Kochi, Kerala kicked up a storm in Kerala after it emerged that she had sent a Civil Police Officer (CPO) on traffic duty as 'punishment'.
The incident happened last Sunday, when Dongre, the youngest IPS officer in Kerala who was recently transferred to Kochi went to the women¡¯s police station adjoining the Town North station to inspect a cleaning drive.
However, as she was not in uniform and new to the city, the female cop who was on sentry duty stopped her and quizzed her about the purpose of her visit.
The cop apologized after realizing that the woman in front of her was an IPS officer.
But, Dongre insisted on seeking an explanation from the female CPO claiming that she should have at least noticed the official vehicle that had entered the compound.
The CPO in her explanation stated that she failed to recognize her as she was in civil dress and cited COVID-19 rules for stopping her at the entrance.
Dongre refused to accept the explanation and argued that the woman cop on duty at the station entry was found to be lacking adequate alertness and sent her on traffic duty for two days as a punishment.
This however did not go down well with a large section in the police force, including senior IPS officers who said her actions were uncalled for.
The Kerala Police Association also launched a formal complaint with the state's Home Department.
They also allege that Dongre who was transferred to Kochi on January 1, took charge only five days later and it was wrong to blame the cop on security duty for failing to recognize her.
As the resentment grew among the force, senior police officers have stepped in and City Police Commissioner Nagaraju said that the DCP has been advised not to resort to such activities in the future.
He also added that Dongre, is a young officer and her inexperience could have resulted in her taking such actions.
