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Kotla pitch fiasco a national shame

The way the 5th ODI between India and Sri Lanka was called off midway at the Kotla grounds on account of poor condition of the pitch is really shocking. This has brought disgrace to the whole nation (editorial, “A national shame: India defeated by itself at Kotla”, Dec 29).

The blame squarely goes to the BCCI apart from the DDCA for overlooking the quality of the pitch. More embarrassing is the fact that the job of re-laying the pitch was given to one Vijay Bahadur Mishra who had no previous experience of working as a curator. What a shame.

How could this aspect have been overlooked? Secondly, as pointed out in the editorial, the custom of using pitches for some domestic cricket before organising an international match was not followed as a result of which India had to face ignominy. Being the richest cricket board in the world, the BCCI should have taken due pains in supervising the work at the Ferozshah Kotla ground.

Sad that the BCCI bosses only think of minting money and adopt a complacent attitude of all is well as far as the condition of the wicket, where international matches are held, is concerned. The good image that India earned has certainly been tarnished by the Kotla pitch fiasco. Surely, it is a national shame.

Now it should be ensured that remedial measures are immediately taken by the BCCI to save the loss of face in the international cricket arena. Delhi should not be deprived of the forthcoming World Cup matches in 2011.

R K KAPOOR, Chandigarh

Review Criminal Procedure Code The latest decision of the Union Government to issue a circular to all state governments for considering all complaints made at police stations as First Information Reports (FIRs) is not going to change the existing tendency of our police personnel who are often alleged to elude and avoid registration of an information given to them by victims and others.  What is needed is relevant amendment in the Criminal Procedure Code to provide for mandatory lodging of FIRs. If needed, suitable regulations can also be introduced in concerned state police rules. The idea of online registration of FIRs can also be explored although with safeguards. At the same time, those instituting false or mischievous complaints should be dealt with sternly. Last year, the Supreme Court while hearing a petition relating to the refusal of the UP police to register an FIR in the case of alleged kidnapping of a girl issued mandatory directions for the registration of FIRs across the country.  It was even directed that defaulting policemen would face departmental action as well as contempt proceedings. That order was also put on the official website of the apex court.  But some time back, it was recalled on the pretext that it could be misused by vested interests and presently the matter is sub-judice before three-judge bench of the Supreme Court. The latest initiative of the Union Home Ministry taken in the wake of outrage over the Ruchika case would not be able to change the mindset of our police. An in-depth analysis and exhaustive review of our criminal procedure is needed. The Supreme Court guidelines on police reforms that includes separation of investigating functions from normal police duties are yet to be fully implemented by the state governments. HEMANT KUMAR, Advocate, Amabla City