Gurgaon Police Make Body-Worn Cameras Mandatory For Traffic Challans After Home Guard Extortion Case

Gurgaon Police have made body-worn cameras compulsory for personnel conducting traffic challans following the arrest of a home guard accused of demanding money from a motorist in the name of a Diwali gift.

Police Commissioner Shibash Kabiraj issued the directive on Tuesday, a day after a video allegedly showing the home guard seeking illegal gratification went viral on social media. He also warned that traffic personnel stopping vehicles without wearing cameras would face departmental action.

The accused, identified as Omkar, allegedly continued demanding a gift from a motorist despite being questioned about the request. According to the account of the incident, he refused to accept a UPI payment and eventually took a gift hamper from the driver.

Gurgaon Home Guard Arrested In Alleged Diwali Extortion Case

The incident prompted the DLF Phase 3 police station to register an FIR against Omkar under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with punishment for extortion.

Police arrested Omkar, a resident of Hilalpur village in Nuh district, a day before Diwali, following the incident.

The new instructions extend beyond the mandatory use of cameras. Zonal officers (ZOs) and traffic inspectors (TIs) will also be held accountable for corrupt practices involving police personnel working under their supervision.

“Under the new guidelines, traffic cops will have to conduct challan proceedings under body-worn camera surveillance to ensure transparency and protect both motorists and police personnel. Departmental action will be taken if personnel stop vehicles without using a body-worn camera, according to the instructions,” an officer said.

Gurgaon Traffic Police Introduce Random Staff Rotation Every 60 Days

The commissioner has also directed that traffic personnel be reassigned through a random, computerised system once every 60 days.

The rotation policy is intended to prevent irregularities that could develop when personnel remain deployed at the same location for extended periods.

“The new rules place supervisory responsibility on zonal officers and inspectors, who will be held accountable if any traffic police personnel, home guards or special police officers (SPO) under their jurisdiction is found involved in illegal collection, extortion or other corrupt practices while on duty,” the officer added.

CCTV Monitoring And Departmental Action Against Corrupt Police Personnel

ACP-rank officers stationed in the police control room have been instructed to regularly monitor CCTV cameras and examine recordings for suspicious behaviour or misconduct.

They have also been directed to ensure that appropriate action is taken promptly whenever irregularities are identified.

Meanwhile, all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) have been asked to convene meetings with personnel deployed on the ground. During these meetings, officers must make it clear that corruption, negligence, illegal extortion and misconduct will not be tolerated.

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The commissioner said the police uniform represents public service and the protection of citizens, adding that any misuse of the uniform for illegal financial gains would invite strict action.

Police have also urged residents to report any illegal demands or extortion attempts by police personnel or other employees on duty. Authorities said complaints would be dealt with in accordance with the rules.