Last week, Delhi Police released its Helpline Number (011-23469900) to aid the citizens of Delhi with CoVid-related queries. It has 10 lines that connect the caller to specialised police personnel – Operations, PHQ, etc – according to their need. More serious matters are being transferred to district officials. Within the first weekend, the helpline received more than 1,500 calls enquiring after lockdown restrictions and seeking medical aid.

The Delhi Police has recently announced that the helpline will now also be accepting complaints regarding CoVid malpractices. These can include a large variety of harassment and fraud cases such as cheating committed in name of providing treatment medicines and injections etc, harassment at cremation sites, hoarding of essential resources, black marketing of medicines and Oxygen cylinders.

Strict action will be taken against the malpractitioners. The Commissioner said that court orders for release of seized oxygen cylinders be taken immediately so that the seized articles can be used in time by needy patients. Chargesheets of arrested persons also be prepared promptly, he said.