In a significant move aimed at upholding legal standards and the dignity of the accused, the Kolkata Police has officially retired the long-standing practice of using makeshift fabrics like towels, pillow covers, and handkerchiefs to cover the faces of crime suspects. Instead, the force has placed an order for 100 specially designed face covers.
From Makeshift Cloths to Standardised Gear
For years, officers in Kolkata had to scramble for any available piece of fabric—be it curtains, towels, or pillow covers—to conceal the identities of individuals presented in court or at press conferences. This was particularly common in cases involving serious crimes or when a Test Identification Parade (TIP) was required. The ad-hoc method often led to covers that hampered breathing and obstructed vision.
The newly ordered covers are conceived to be all-black, with a design prioritising 'easy breathing' and ensuring the accused's sightline is not blocked. This marks a deliberate shift from the uncomfortable and inconsistent past practices.
Driving Factors: Legal Scrutiny and Rights Protection
According to sources within Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, the decision was influenced by multiple factors. Feedback from lower courts highlighted a concerning trend where defence lawyers argued that their clients were being treated "as a criminal even before the trial" when paraded with faces covered by random cloth.
"We will not allow the defence to use this excuse to try and bolster their case," explained a police officer. The move aligns with the growing understanding that such covers are not just procedural but a requirement to protect the rights of the accused. In the Indian legal system, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
"Revealing their face publicly could amount to a premature declaration of guilt and cause reputational damage, even if they were later acquitted," the officer added. This practice also ensures the legal sanctity of the TIP process, which can be compromised if a suspect's face has been widely publicised before the parade.
New SOP and Distribution Plan
A new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is currently being prepared to formalise the use of these face covers. Presently, rules vary across India; for instance, Delhi Police sometimes reveals the faces of seasoned criminals, while Ludhiana Police does so for snatchers and robbers.
The batch of 100 face covers will be distributed across various police stations and specialised units like the Detective Department and the Special Task Force (STF). This initiative ends the undignified scenes where accused persons desperately used their hands or handkerchiefs to shield themselves from media flashbulbs, and where police had to send someone rushing to the nearest shop for cloth.
Complementing this material change, the Kolkata Police has also launched a sensitisation drive to educate its officers on these evolving legal concepts, emphasising the balance between investigative procedure and the fundamental rights of individuals in custody.
