Bassi's parting shot: 'Delhi police's functional autonomy is sacrosanct'

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, who retired on Monday, said the men in uniform never work under ‘political pressure’.

The top cop said it is a ‘misunderstanding’ that the Delhi Police works under political pressure.

“Delhi Police’s functional autonomy is sacrosanct. Some also think Delhi police works under political pressure. Please remove that misunderstanding,” Bassi said.

Asserting that the Delhi Police has become synonymous with ‘smart policing’, Bassi expressed confidence that his successor Alok Verma would take ‘technology’ in the Delhi Police to greater heights.

Bassi also thanked his entire team of Delhi Police for being a firm support and wished them success in their future endeavours.

“The Delhi Police is a great force; the support of my 80,000 plus strong personnel has been my biggest strength. They never allowed work pressure to take a toll on me,” he added.

Bassi further said that the people from different parts of India live in Delhi, adding the police is committed to serve them all with the same sense of duty.

“Be it a department or an individual -- all have negatives and positives. It’s our duty to encourage positives and work towards reducing negatives,” he said.

Senior IPS officer Alok Verma will replace Bassi as the Delhi Police commissioner when the latter retires on Monday.

The 1979-batch officer, who is currently Director General (Prisons), will hold the post till July 2017.  Verma, who had joined as DG of Tihar on August 6, 2014 after serving as Special Commissioner of Police (Administration), is set to retire after 17 months.

He served Delhi Police in number of positions, including deputy commissioner of police, south district, joint commissioner of the Crime Branch, joint commissioner of police, New DelhiRange, Special CP (Intelligence) and Special CP, Vigilance.

He had served as the Inspector General of Police in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Director General of Police of Puducherry.

-- With inputs from PTI