Don’t be afraid of legal problems when helping others: Cops to good Samaritans

Kolkata: Learning from Wednesday’s incident when an auto driver and a fish seller reportedly dumped a body at a crowded auto stand close to Tollygunge Metro station, Lalbazar has proposed a mass outreach programme to raise awareness among the police and the public about the rights of a good Samaritan.
The fish seller, Lata Mondal (56), told cops she tried to take the vagabond, Bhola, to MR Bangur Hospital but developed cold feet when he died.She said she feared harassment from cops and the hospital, and dumped the body.

The cops said the programme will aim to assure good Smaaritans they will not be harassed by police. Cops also want to extend the same help to those acting as first responders to general crime as well.
While these rights of good Samaritans have long been in circulation based on court ruling and directives from both Centre and state, the fresh attempt is to “educate” the masses, said sources. A similar attempt was made at the local police station level last year.
“The message is simple. An appeal has been made to help victims within the golden hour. The legal formalities will not come in the way of humanity,” an officer said.
A 10-point SOP has been sent to all 25 traffic guards and 80 police stations, as well as being put up across all crossings for the public, said sources.
“Of late, there have been instances where we thought we could have saved lives if the public had alerted us a bit earlier,” a police source said.
According to the declaration by cops, the good Samaritan will be treated with respect; the person does not need to reveal personal information, and no cop can force a good Samaritan to become a witness — he or she can leave after informing police, unless he/she is a direct witness to some heinous crime.
The SOP also talks about those Samaritans who wish to testify as witnesses.