Kochi: A controversy has arisen over a law in Kerala these days. There is an old rule that anyone can hire policemen on duty. You just have to pay a fee for this. You can keep a constable for the whole day for just Rs 700. For a inspector you will have to pay Rs 2560. Not only this, if you want, you can take the entire police station on rent. For this you will have to spend Rs 33100.

Well, this rule is old. But recently this matter came into the limelight when K.K. Ansar of Coonoor hired 4 constables on the prewtext of VIP security for his daughter’s wedding. The funny thing is that no VIP came to the wedding.

Now many officers of Kerala Police are opposing this rule. The Kerala Police Association has publicly expressed its protest over the incident through social media.

Kerala Police rate chart

According to the revised rate, the police have to pay according to the rank for personal use, film shooting and various functions. For a CI rank officer, Rs 3795 has to be paid in a day and Rs 4750 during the night. The day and night rates for SI are 2560 and 4360. If you want a police dog, you will have to pay Rs.6950. Wireless sets are also provided to policemen if needed. The fee for this is Rs 2315.

Opposition to the rule

Section 62(2) of the Kerala Police Act states that a private person has no right to use the police, whether free of cost or paid for. State Industrial Security Force can be appointed when there is a need for security for private individuals or institutions. Several associations of police officers have complained about the incident to the chief minister and the Kerala Police chief.