New Delhi, Nov 14: Centre has created 700 additional posts in the Delhi Police to strengthen VVIP security in the national capital, the Delhi High Court was informed today. "Strengthening of security arrangement on VVIP routes has been finalised/implemented by creation of 700 posts in various categories at a recurring expenditure of Rs 7.48 crore per annum," I B Karn, director in the Union Home Ministry, said in an affidavit filed in the high court in connection with a PIL on law and order situation in the capital.

The Centre undertook to implement proposals on separation of crime investigation from law and order functions and setting up of metro rail police station by March 31 next year. Centre's counsel Sanjay Karol further submitted that the proposal relating to computerization of all police stations will be implemented within 18 months.

He further assured the court that other proposals for the modernization of the police force would be implemented as early as possible. In view of Karol's submissions, a division bench of chief Justice B C Patel and Justice B D Ahmed disposed of the PIL filed by advocate Rajiv Awasthi in 1998 with a direction to the Centre to file a compliance report by April 20 next.

Earlier, the court had asked the Centre to come out with a timeframe within which it would provide extra men and other infrastructural facilities sought by the city police to improve law and order in the capital.

Bureau Report