Former top state police officials and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), that have been fighting for police reforms, came down heavily on the state government’s decision to withdraw director general of police’s powers on Thursday
Former Maharashtra DGP S.S. Virk said, “When a constable comes with a grievance, he can meet the superintendent of police, the inspector general and the DGP as well. However, when powers are not disintegrated, they will have to go to the home department, resulting in a lot of delay. The existing system must continue, as it has proved its merit over a period of time.”
Another former state DGP P.S. Pasricha described the move as “completely wrong”, saying, “Chain of command is very important in the police department.” Other DGPs M.N. Singh and J.F. Ribeiro have already condemned the state government’s decision.
IPS turned social activist, Y.P. Singh said, “They are violating the SC directive to have a police establishment board. They want DGP to be a puppet. The repercussions of this will be increase in corruption and indiscipline in the force. It will decrease the morale of the police force, and lobbying with politicians will be rampant.”
Maja Daruwala, director of CHRI said, “No order has been passed in relation to the police chief’s selection and tenure. No separation of law and order has been made. Bodies that were designed to be state and district-level specialist bodies to handle
serious complaints against the police, have never been established at the ground level.”
She added that if allowed to stand, such orders would damage policing and are against public interest.