grievances of police personnel: Submit details of panel

: Warning the state home secretary to submit before March 22, details of persons to be members of the Panel as suggested by it to look into grievances of police personnel, Madras High Court made it clear that if he fails to do so by that date, he will have to appear before the court.

Justice N Kirubakaran stated this after going through some details made available on suicides by police personnel and the desertion that took place for several years in the force.

The judge posed several questions, including why the orderly system abolished through a Government order of 1979 was still continuing.

 

The matter relates to a HC Judgement of 2012 which recommended constituting a panel headed by a retired High Court Judge, to look into the grievances so it would give suggestions for the problems.

While the matter thus, a petition was filed by a policeman, seeking a direction to complete the probe in the case filed against his wife and her paramour

The judge had directed the Additional Public Prosecutor to ascertain if Government has implemented the suggestions given by it and report it to the Court and the matter was adjourned to today.

When the matter came up today, the Judge recorded the submissions of APP and counsel for the petitioner that about 600 to 700 desertions have taken place in the Police Force and noted the number of suicides from 2010 to 2017.

The judge said that considering the fact that the order has been passed in the case on July 2 2012 and also considering the facts submitted, the Court was of the view that it may not be in the interest of the Police, as well as the public, to postpone the appointment of the Committee/Commission, as suggested by it.

the court said serious efforts have to be taken to appoint the Commission/Committee, enabling the committee to determine definite working hours for police Personnel and Regular mental and health checkups for their well-being.

The Judge posted 12 questions to be answered by the State Government to give full details of the deserted police and suicides for the past ten years, warned the Home Secretary and posted the matter to March 22.