SSP asks MCD to conduct internal investigation
Thursday, 12 September 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Contrary to initial claims, floodlight cables or equipment were not stolen from Dehradun’s landmark, Clock Tower. Instead, it appears that someone deliberately tampered with the wires, probably individuals with access to the control room keys. The damage caused disruption in the functioning of the clocks and speakers, but no items were taken, the Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh said. He said that a complaint was filed by the executive engineer of the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) on Tuesday regarding the damage caused to the motor and floodlight cables installed at Clock Tower.
A formal investigation was launched after registering the case. A joint inspection was conducted at the site by the municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar along with the city magistrate and the police on Wednesday. Upon arrival, it was found that the control room at Clock Tower was securely locked and no signs of forced entry were discovered. However, during the inspection, the wires connected to the Clock Tower were found cut which led to the malfunctioning of the clocks and speakers. Despite the damaged wires, all valuable equipment within the control room remained untouched and secure, the SSP said. He informed that the absence of connectivity, likely due to the severed wires, was determined to be the reason the clocks and speakers had stopped working. The cut wires were found on-site, with no indication of theft or an attempt to remove them.
“A forensic team was summoned to the location and a thorough photographic and video documentation of the site was carried out. Since the locks of the control room were intact, it appeared that the wires had been deliberately tampered with, likely by individuals with access to the control room keys. We have requested the MCD to conduct an internal investigation into the potential mishandling of the control room keys,” Singh said.
He said that the case was assigned to the city magistrate to ensure a fair investigation and the in-charge of the respective Police Chowki Harsh Arora was reverted to the police line. Upon reviewing the investigation, the city magistrate’s report concluded that no negligence on the part of Arora was found and he was reinstated to his position.
