Important points on Police reforms in India suggested by Supreme Court
Vizcards for Police reforms in India
Police Reforms by Vizmins Official
Police reforms in India
Prakash Singh, who served as DGP of UP Police and Assam Police besides other postings, filed a PIL in the Supreme Court post retirement, in 1996, seeking police reforms.
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court in September 2006 had directed all states and Union Territories to bring in police reforms.
Recent Events
- The latest episode of allegations of lobbying by several IPS officers in Maharashtra and of ‘power brokers’ deciding on postings in cahoots with the government shows little has changed in the system.
- The Supreme Court has stated that the landmark judgment of Prakash Singh v. Union of India (2006), which dealt with police reforms, is used periodically only as a mantra, to suit the occasion whenever it arises.
7 Directives suggested by SC
- Fixing the tenure and selection of the DGP to avoid situations where officers about to retire in a few months are given the post.
- In order to ensure no political interference, a minimum tenure was sought for the Inspector General of Police so that they are not transferred mid-term by politicians.
- Postings of officers should be done by Police Establishment Boards (PEB) comprising police officers and senior bureaucrats to insulate powers of postings and transfers from political leaders.
- Set up State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) to give a platform where common people aggrieved by police action could approach.
- Separate investigation and law and order functions to better improve policing.
- Set up of State Security Commissions (SSC) that would have members from civil society.
- Form a National Security Commission.
