No mineral water for criminals please, says Bihar top cop

Patna, Nov 8 : Bihar Director General of Police Anand Shankar has slammed the reported practice of giving bottled mineral water to influential undertrials in the state.

"'Hawalat mein bund criminals ko mineral water dena bund karein aur badmashon (criminals) se dosti bund kijiye'(stop providing mineral water to arrested criminals and stop befriending them)," Anand Shankar said at the inaugural function of an exhibition by the criminal investigation department at Sonepur.

Anand Shankar, known for his hard hitting actions to check and control crime and corruption, asked policemen not to give special treatment to criminals.

"I don't want any special treatment to be given to criminals. Simply put them behind the bars without wasting time after their arrest," he said.

Official sources in police headquarters here Sunday said Anand Shankar was disturbed after being informed that criminals in custody were drinking only mineral water provided by policemen on duty.

In Bihar, it is common that criminals enjoy a good life in custody. In the past, raids in the state's jails have led to the seizure of colour TVs, mobile phones, imported liquor and cigarettes.

Criminal-turned-politicians like Pappu Yadav and Mohammad Shahabuddin hit the headlines for holding 'durbars' (courts) inside the jail and threatening the staff.

There have been reports of criminals-turned-politician visiting markets and homes of people on way back from court hearings.

A few years ago, former legislator Rajan Tiwari, who is facing several criminal charges including murder, kidnapping and extortion, reportedly visited a massage parlour outside the high-security Beur jail here where he was an undertrial.

--IANS