CHRI welcomes establishing Police Complaints Authority for Delhi

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) on Tuesday welcomed the Delhi High Court's approval of a notification constituting a Police Complaints Authority (PCA) for Delhi which will look into complaints against erring policemen in the national capital.

"CHRI welcomes this long-awaited step towards strengthening police accountability in Delhi. We will continue to engage with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Delhi government and the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the remaining gaps and assist in the development of an independent and effective PCA for Delhi," said Devika Prasad, Coordinator, Police Reform Programme CHRI.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor submitted the notification setting out a basic framework for PCA on January 31.

The PCA will inquire into complaints and allegations against Delhi Police personnel on matters of custodial rape, custodial death, extortion or any serious abuse of authority.

In 2006, the Supreme Court ordered all states and union territories to set up PCAs as one of seven directives to usher in police accountability.

In 2012, the Delhi government with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the mandate of the existing Public Grievances Commission in the city to also respond to complaints against the police.

As this was in total violation of the Court's directive, CHRI filed a petition in the Delhi High Court in 2015 seeking an independent specialised PCA.

CHRI said the essential demand has been met as the notification creates a PCA that largely fits the model set out by the Supreme Court.

--IANS

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