As many as 26 ex-IPS cops have slammed former Mumbai police chief Julio Ribeiro for writing a letter to Delhi Police chief SN Shrivastava and raising doubts about the fairness of investigations in the Delhi riots of February this year.
“The Delhi Police has every right and duty to investigate the role of any such person, and the custodial investigation is part of due process of law…,” said the former cops, defending the Delhi Police.
The letter is signed by several former DGPs, Addl DGPs, at least two former IB officials, three former IGPs.
Ribeiro had cast aspersions on Delhi Police, had questioned the police’s lack of action against BJP leaders and had come out in support of riot accused Harsh Mander and Delhi University professor Apporvanand. He had termed them as “true patriots.”
“Harsh and Apporvanand are Gandhians. I should have remembered that Gandhians have lost favour with this regime,” Ribeiro had written in his letter.
Following Ribeiro’s letter, Delhi police chief SN Shrivastava had written a detailed reply. While dismissing Ribeiro’s allegation, Shrivastava had mentioned that when he had talked to the ex-cop, Ribeiro had acknowledged that he does not have first-hand information.
The ex-Cops have accused Ribeiro for backing ant-India elements like Umar Khalid who had allegedly raised “Bharat Ki Barbadi Tak Jung Rahegi” slogans.
“Such posturing and adverse commentary by such officers may demotivate the police officers and dilute their firm resolve to act against the criminals, including those who incite communal divide in India by instigating riots,” they said.
Ribeiro has a history of writing open letters in support of controversial political events.
