Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the State government to file an affidavit with details of the Police Complaint Authority that needs to be set up at the State and district level.
A Division Bench of Justices Ranjit More and Anuja Prabhudessai was hearing a criminal writ petition filed by Bommer Limbadri Vithal, which sought the constitution of the State Police Complaint Authorities and Division Level Police Complaint Authorities as per statutory provisions under the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.
The court said Goa formed the committee five years ago, and asked why Maharashtra was lagging behind. It directed the State to file an affidavit on April 20.
On May 23, 2015, the State had announced the appointment of a retired judge to head it. It had also named two retired additional director generals and two Indian administrative services officers to the committee. In 2008, the State Government had issued a resolution to constitute both the authorities.
As per a judgement of the Supreme Court, the Police Complaints Authority at the district level would look into complaints against police officers of and up to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The committee would inquire into allegations of extortion, land/house grabbing or any serious abuse of authority.
The Police Complaints Authority at the State level would look into complaints against officers of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above. The committee would take cognizance of only allegations of serious misconduct by the police personnel.
