Citizens Initiative for Peace

Dire need to implement Police Complaints Authority urgently

There was news in the last 3 to 4 days on the role of Police. Mumbai Police commissioner was reprimanded by HC for not filing affidavit in custodial death case. The other news is from Rajasthan wherein cops raped & murdered another colleague and a police man sodomized a dozen children.

From the reaction of Mumbai police commissioner, one can see how with lack of seriousness such investigation is done. There may be so many cases against Police, due to fear & shame, they are not reported. Ruchika Girhotra’s case is a classic case which shows how a State DGP goes scot free for 19 years.

Presently for any complaint against Police, one has to go either to their superiors who do not take it seriously or approach the Courts. Again the Court has to approach the Police to investigate the matter. Presently there is no method to investigate complaints against Police in an independent manner.  Sometimes a Special Investigation team (SIT) is appointed, but they are also subject to pressure.

To overcome this problem, Supreme Court in its judgment on Police Reforms in the Prakash Singh case, has asked all the states to have a Police Complaints Authority (PCA). It is basically to curb the unbridled misuse of powers the Police enjoy. It is one of the most important recommendations of the Police Reforms. The states are in Contempt of SC for not implementing the same.

The SC has asked to set up independent Police Complaints Authorities at the state and district levels to look into public complaints against police officers in cases of serious misconduct, including custodial death, grievous hurt or rape in police custody, extortion, land grabbing and serious abuse. The people manning PCA will be drawn from retired judiciary. The state level authority is to be chaired by a retired judge of the HC or SC. The district level authority is to be chaired by a retired district judge. These authorities will take cognizance of serious misconduct by Police Personnel, conduct independent investigation & pass judgment which will be binding for the State.

It is high time that Civil Society takes this matter with utmost urgency.

1. HC reprimands 'discourteous' Mumbai top cop

      http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/HC-reprimands-discourteous-Mumbai-top-  cop/articleshow/6686850.cms

1. Policeman sodomizes a dozen schoolchildren in Rajasthan

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Policeman-sodomizes-a-dozen-schoolchildren-in-Rajasthan/articleshow/6680692.cms

1. Two Rajasthan cops held for colleague's rape, murder

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Two-Rajasthan-cops-held-for-colleagues-rape-murder/articleshow/6672526.cms#ixzz11TNKVipg