HC asks for affidavits on policemen's bulging girth

KOLKATA: The Calcutta High Court today asked the West Bengal government and the Kolkata Police about steps taken to check increasing waistlines of police personnel.

Taking note of deterioration in the fitness level of a section of police personnel, a division bench of acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborty directed the West Bengal Home Secretary, Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner to file affidavits stating steps taken to reduce the girth of these personnel and measures to keep an eye on their health.

Hearing a PIL which claimed that fitness of police personnel had deteriorated with increasing girth, the court directed that the three officers submit separate affidavits within three weeks.

The court observed that when one joins the police force, he is in good physical shape, but it deteriorates in case of many with passing years.

The bench directed that it be stated in the affidavits whether there was any regular training system for the personnel, fitness checking and target practising by the personnel.

It said that it would decide on further action on its own if there was any failure to comply with the order.