In a significant address that could redefine police-public interactions in Haryana, Director General of Police O P Singh has called for a more compassionate and reason-based approach to law enforcement. The state's top police official emphasized that officers must shed their authoritarian mindset and become more citizen-friendly during routine checks and interactions.
Moving Beyond Power Displays in Policing
During a press interaction held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at the Gurgaon Police Commissionerate, DGP Singh delivered a powerful message to senior police officials of South Haryana. He stressed that police checking should never become an exercise in one-upmanship or harassment of citizens.
"Police verification and checking exercises should be specific and reason-based rather than general or random," Singh stated, setting a new tone for police operations. He provided a practical example: "If a driver has four necessary vehicle documents, there's no need to harass them or issue a challan for not having the fifth."
Addressing Systemic Challenges
The DGP candidly acknowledged several operational challenges facing the police department. He highlighted the delay in filing First Information Reports (FIRs) for certain offences, particularly economic crimes where complaints tend to be lengthy and complex.
"For economic offences, understanding the intricacies fully takes time, especially when the person noting it down is a 12th pass," Singh explained. He revealed plans to address this issue by deploying more specialized officers who can properly comprehend and tackle such complex crimes, along with increasing overall manpower.
However, the police chief also pointed to significant misuse of the legal system by citizens. "At least 20 percent of the complaints end up being false – many born out of personal fights between people," he disclosed. Gurgaon Police Commissioner Vikas Kumar Arora supplemented this point by mentioning the recent arrest of a lawyer allegedly involved in filing false cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for extortion purposes.
Embracing Urban Nightlife Realities
In one of the most progressive statements from a senior police official, DGP Singh acknowledged the reality of urban nightlife, particularly in Gurgaon, which he referred to as "Millennium City." His approach marks a significant departure from traditional law enforcement perspectives.
"I have always said nightlife is also a way of life," Singh stated. "After work, people go to restaurants and clubs, especially in Millennium City and any metropolis that is a centre of investment." He recognized that many of Gurgaon's young residents are single and living away from families, making social venues an important part of their lifestyle.
To address safety concerns around nightlife, the DGP emphasized coordination with establishments to prevent drunken driving. He suggested practical measures like ensuring patrons book cabs to return home or making sure designated drivers in groups aren't served alcohol.
Commissioner Arora revealed that the Gurgaon police have already taken formal action, serving notices to clubs and restaurants under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita. These notices direct bouncers and staff to ensure that patrons who have been drinking return by cab rather than driving themselves.
Tackling Specific Safety Concerns
Beyond nightlife issues, DGP Singh addressed another growing concern on Gurgaon's roads – accidents and dangerous stunts involving Mahindra Thar SUV vehicles. "It has become a statement now, not just a car," he observed, noting that even a police officer's vehicle had been involved in such incidents.
The comprehensive address by Haryana's top police official signals a potential shift toward more empathetic and practical policing methods that acknowledge urban realities while maintaining public safety standards across the state.
