Civil Liberties Providing a toll-free telephone number 3.42 Rights to life, liberty and property are amongst the most basic human rights. In recent years, however, the detection of offences has shown a downward trend and, in general, the percentages ofboth detection and conviction are on the decline. As a result, the commission ofcrime has increasingly become a high-profit and low-risk business. In the view of the Commission, the situation has taken an alarming turn for the worse. 3.43 As indicated above, a large number of complaints received from the public concern improper investigation and the non-detection of crime. This is often because of the non-availability of intelligence relating to the crime to the police. Even when members of the public have such information, they are hesitant to share this with the police in order to avoid being called repeatedly to the police station for questioning. Further, there is a deep reluctance to be repeatedly called to the courts later, as witnesses. There is also an apprehension of becoming the target of precisely those criminals about whom information may have been given. In order to lessen such fears on the part of the public, who may otherwise be willing to share information/intelligence with the police, the Commission considered the mechanism adopted by the Kerala Police, viz the establishment of'toll free telephone' numbers at Police Control Rooms/Police Stations, and recommended this practice to other State Governments. The Commission is of the view that this system should be toll free within the State, even when STD calls are made. To have uniformity all over the country in this respect, the telephone No. 1090 has been suggested for use nation-wide. While recording the information, the callers should not be compelled to give their names and addresses. Keeping complainants Informed 3.44 In the sphere'^ of police-community relations, the most concerned and least satisfied members of the public, often complain of the lack of transparency in police work, and of delays, indifference and corruption in dealing with complaints and cases. 3.45 While several steps have been taken to avoid burking of offences and to ensure the free registration ofcases whenever cognisable offences are revealed in the complaints, the complainant, very often, is not informed of the steps taken by the police. This results in the complainant/victim becoming suspicious that the police has either not taken any action at all, or that it is under the influence of the rival party, or acting under political pressure or extraneous considerations. This suspicion has led to numerous complaints addressed, inter alia, to this Commission, against the Investigating Officer/Agency. 3.46 The Commission is of the view that it is the duty of the police to inform complainants of the registration of an FIR or the reasons for non-registration. It has also recommended that if investigations are not completed within three months, the 29