The officers and their family members also abuse us,' said a home guard working as an orderly at a police officer's house here.

Former director general of police P. Ramulu said, 'This system is not just illegal but also immoral. It should be put to an end immediately.'

The state has a nearly 100,000-strong police force and 800 are top rank officers, including over 200 IPS officers. The officers from directors general of police to deputy superintendents are allowed to have two to six constables to assist them. About 3,000 such assistants are officially working for the officers.

However, sources in the Andhra Pradesh Police Constables Association claim that hundreds of others are unofficially working as orderlies. Dube reportedly has as many as five constables working for his family members in Noida.

Constables and home guards are suffering silently for fear of losing jobs or not getting promotion on time.

'There are many who suffer silently with the hope that a promotion or transfer will some day liberate them,' a constable, who did not want to be named, told this IANS correspondent.

The 'orderly' system was first introduced during British rule in 1861. Since there were no communication facilities available at that time, the idea was to ensure that the services of policemen were available for the officer to act quickly in case of any law and order problem.

It continued after independence and was not abolished by many states despite recommendations by successive police commissions and a suggestion by the Supreme Court.

'When police officers go beyond the limits of law while performing their duties, they can't be expected to be nice and humane while dealing with their subordinates. It is a culture of abuse,' said eminent rights activist G. Haragopal.

Lawyers say the victims can approach court to claim damages.

'If the services of a public servant were used for any purpose other than what he was recruited for, he can file a writ petition and claim compensation from the government,' said Shakeel Ahmed, a lawyer.

(Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in)