KANPUR, Nov. 27 -- A routine inspection of Barra police station by state women's commission member Anita Gupta on November 22 has escalated into a bureaucratic dispute after the Kanpur police sent her a letter asking her to "stay within limits," reminding her that commission members do not have legal authority to conduct direct station visits.

Within days, joint commissioner of police (crime) VK Singh issued a sharply worded letter stating that commission members are not legally empowered to conduct direct inspections of police stations and that such visits "interfere with policing and public service delivery."

A copy of the notice seen by HT reads: "You must act within your authorised rights and powers. Direct inspection of police stat...