Glossary and Abbreviations

Bandobast

Literally “discipline,” refers to police duties such as patrolling events and security work

chowki

Police structure designated as an outpost

Circle Officer

Officer in charge of a police circle, which consists of a few police stations

Daily Diary

Record police must keep under Police Act of 1861 that includes information regarding complainants, charges, persons arrested, property police take into possession, and witnesses police examine

Dalit

Literally “broken people,” a term for so-called “untouchables” who   traditionally occupied the lowest place in the Hindu caste system

DGP

Director General of Police, the highest-ranking police official of each state police organization

FIR

First Information Report, the recorded complaint of a crime filed by police

hijra     

male-to-female transgender individuals, typically working-class

IPS

Indian Police Service, the cadre of senior police administered by the central government

lathi     

Literally “stick,” the long baton-type weapon carried by most police

munshi               

Literally “the writer,” a police officer who maintains records

NHRC   

National Human Rights Commission

pradhan

Village official

SP

Superintendent of Police, in charge of a police district

SHRC

State Human Rights Commission

SI

Sub-inspector

SHO

Station house officer

SO

Station officer, the same as a station house officer

thana

Police station