Jagan inaugurates Disha police station in Vizianagaram

Vizianagaram: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday inaugurated a Disha Police Station here in the presence of Home Minister Mekatoti Sucharita and DGP Gowtam Sawang.

It is the second Disha Police Station in the State after the one at Rajahmundry.

Mr Reddy said that a total of such exclusive police stations would be set up across the state on a priority basis. They deal with crimes against women and children. He said that the State Government has introduced Andhra Pradesh Disha Act Criminal Law (AP Amendment) Act, 2019.

The Disha Act mandates completion of the investigation into cases of sexual offences within seven working days from the time of record, and the trial must be concluded within 14 working days from the date of filing the charge-sheet. The appeal against the sentence passed under the new law has to be disposed of within six months, he added.

Vizianagaram district administration has spent around Rs 1.2 crore for the construction of the police station. Disha Act 2019 was passed following the gruesome rape and murder of veterinary doctor ‘Disha’ in Hyderabad on the night of November 27, 2019.

Superintendent of Police, Vizianagaram, B Raja Kumari said that a DSP-rank police officer, an inspector, five sub-inspectors and 45 constables will be stationed at the Disha police station.

Unlike the normal police stations, this one looks like a corporate building. It houses a waiting hall, separate offices for senior officers, office for the public prosecutor and a forensic laboratory.