Date:22/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/22/stories/2008122258690300.htm

New Delhi

Cell against recovery agents has its hands full

Devesh K. Pandey

Receives 40 complaints in just two days of being set up

Recovery agents also pose as lawyers, cops
Helpline for women in the pipeline

NEW DELHI: Within 48 hours of setting up a separate cell for dealing with the cases of harassment by recovery agents, the Delhi police have received about 40 complaints from people against various financial institutions and service providers who employ such agents for recovering due amounts from their customers.

The police had launched the helpline on Saturday following a spate of complaints from the citizens against unscrupulous elements claiming to be representatives of financial institutions and service providers and threatening them with dire consequences if they did not immediately clear their dues.

Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Alok Kumar Verma on Sunday said: “In the two meetings held with the financial institutions earlier this year, we had advised them not to engage recovery agents who take to illegal means. In case we come across any evidence establishing the role of the financial institutions, we will also initiate action against them. It would also depend on the nature of agreement between them and the recovery agencies.”

The police have so far registered some cases on the complaints of people against illegal activities of these recovery agents who sometimes also pose as lawyers and police personnel in order to intimidate the customers.

Recently, the Special Cell of the Delhi police had smashed one such gang of recovery agents which was operating for the past four years. The accused worked under contract with financial institutions and mobile companies to recover the dues from “dead accounts”. The accused used to threaten the customers posing as lawyers and policemen.

The complaints against recovery agents can be registered on 1090 and 26184455.

In another development, the police are setting up a separate cell to register complaints of harassment against women who do not wish to lodge a formal complaint. The helpline that will become operational within a few days can be accessed on telephone no. 27894455. According to Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat, the cell has been created to take up the cases in which the complainant wants to remain anonymous.

The police will soon provide a number on which unsolicited and offensive Short Message Service (SMS) received by the victims can be forwarded for further action against the senders. The victims can also send their complaints through e-mail at acp-sit-dl@nic.in.