Irked by recurring instances of non-cooperation on the part of the police in conducting inquiry into petitions against the force, the State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) has recommended that an officer who is not part of the force should head its proposed investigation wing.
Authority Chairman K. Narayana Kurup has conveyed his reservations about the State government’s plan to post a police officer as the chief investigation officer of the wing demanded by the SPCA for prompt and fair disposal of petitions.
“We handle complaints against the police, which are now being investigated by the same force. This is against the principle of natural justice and the rule against bias. In order to ensure free and fair investigation of such complaints, it is imperative that an officer not part of the police force heads the investigation wing,” Mr. Kurup said.
Complaints
A majority of the complaints received by the SPCA pertain to the use of foul language, custodial violence, unnecessary detention, foisting of false cases, and taking sides with parties.
A recent incident in which a police officer had continuously evaded appearing before the SPCA on a petition filed by a Changanassery fish vendor has only reinforced the authority’s conviction of the need for a dedicated investigation wing headed by a non-police officer. Mr. Kurup had criticised the police of “shielding” the suspected officer in the case.
The SPCA had asked for a separate investigation wing after realising that a lot of time was being lost due to the absence of such an arrangement.
Often SPCA members are required to travel to remote areas in pursuit of information pertaining to complaints before the Authority.
For instance, last year Mr. Narayana Kurup had to undertake multiple visits to Marangattupilly in Kottayam district on a petition regarding the alleged custodial death of a 40-year-old man.
