Police in New Delhi announced that they had broken up the activities of a gang of hospital security guards
. The guards moonlighted as criminals after they removed their uniforms. These guards' are suspected of murdering a man while robbing him. They are suspected of being involved in numerous other (and sometimes violent) crimes.
They even used their lockers in the hospital to store guns, ammunition and other weapons. Their cover as security guards at the hospital also ensured that their lockers were never checked enabling them to operate with impunity in and around the area.
The police are now investigating the agency that hired these men and also if any background verification on their employees was ever carried out. A systemic failure once again. It should be readily known if the agency is meeting the norms and requirements of their business, instead of having to check after an incident.
Also hospitals are once again in the news for the wrong reasons. There has been a spate of revelations recently about fake doctors operating in these institutions. Basic cautionary and mandatory procedures are neglected. The background of people hired to sensitive positions is rarely investigated.
In the current security sensitive environment, the approaching Commonwealth Games and the downturn in the economy the need for background screening is vital. The risks to the well-being of people, institutions and infrastructure are high. Our laissez-faire attitude to security in all its forms has to change. There is too much at stake.