The Supreme Court of India announced on Tuesday that it will address pleas for the implementation of its landmark 2006 verdict on police reforms in May. The decision comes amidst growing concerns over the non-compliance of the directions issued by the court, which include the separation of investigation duties from law and order responsibilities.
In the 2006 judgment, the court had detailed a set of reforms aimed at enhancing the accountability and efficiency of the police force across states. Among these were directives against ad hoc or interim appointments to the position of Director General of Police (DGP). It mandated that the Union Public Service Commission, in consultation with state governments and other stakeholders, should shortlist three senior police officers from which the state could appoint one as DGP.
Senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Dushyant Dave, representing the petitioners, expressed concerns to a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, stating that many state governments are flouting these guidelines. “There has been rampant corruption in the appointment of police chiefs… rampant,” Bhushan emphasized during the hearing. Dave added, “State after state is refusing to comply with the judgment and directions, risking the loss of everything for which we stand.”
The bench, which also includes Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan, has directed that a contempt plea be served on the Jharkhand government. The pleas are scheduled for a comprehensive hearing in the week starting May 5.
The 2006 directives were issued in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former DGPs Prakash Singh and N K Singh, which led to significant directives including a fixed tenure of two years for state police chiefs to reduce political interference. The judgment also ordered the establishment of a State Security Commission to prevent unwarranted government influence on the police, a Police Establishment Board to oversee transfers and postings, and a Police Complaints Authority in each state to address serious misconduct.
Additionally, the verdict called for the creation of a National Security Commission at the Union level to manage the placement and selection of chiefs of Central Police Organisations, ensuring a minimum tenure of two years.
