Home / Crime and Justice / Kolkata Cops Ditch Towels for Uniform Suspect Face Covers
Kolkata Cops Ditch Towels for Uniform Suspect Face Covers
8 Jan
Summary
- Kolkata Police will use 100 new black face covers for suspects.
- Covers ensure easy breathing and unobstructed vision for accused.
- New SOP aims to protect accused rights before trial.
Kolkata Police are implementing a new protocol for presenting crime suspects, moving away from the use of towels and pillow covers. One hundred specially designed black face covers, emphasizing ease of breathing and clear vision, will be distributed across police stations and specialized units. This change supports a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that aims to respect the legal presumption of innocence.
The initiative addresses concerns raised in lower courts where defense lawyers argued that haphazardly covering suspects' faces could imply guilt before a trial. By providing uniform, standardized covers, police intend to prevent the defense from using this as a basis to bolster their case, ensuring a fairer legal process.
This decision reflects a growing understanding of an accused person's rights, acknowledging that public exposure of their face could lead to premature judgment and reputational damage, even if later acquitted. Kolkata Police are also conducting special drives to sensitize officers on these legal principles.
