Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to clarify whether it has set up a website for citizens to lodge complaints with the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), was informed that in compliance with the Supreme Court’s 2006 judgment, the Maharashtra Police Act was amended in 2014 to establish PCAs at the state, divisional, and district levels.
Seeking details on their functionality, the court asked: “It is a system meant for the public. What steps have you taken for the functioning of the Police Complaints Authority?”
The HC was hearing a plea filed by Advocate Firdaus Irani that sought directions to the State to bring the Maharashtra Police (Amendment) Act 2014 in conformity with the directions issued by the Supreme Court in Prakash Singh & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors, 2006. In this case, the Apex Court had issued a slew of guidelines for systemic police reforms and had directed the State Governments to set up PCAs among other things.
Irani further sought that the State be directed to conduct a pre-legislative consultation with necessary organisations to formulate necessary amendments. The plea also prayed that the State should spread awareness about the existence of the PCAs and create a website for maintaining relevant information about their functioning and procedure.
State’s advocate Poornima Kantharia replied that the government has already incorporated necessary amendments in the Maharashtra Police (Amendment) Act in accordance with the directions of the SC. Kantharia also said that PCAs have also been constituted at the State, district and division level.
She sought time to update the court about the website during the next hearing. The court then directed the government to submit a status report on the composition and functioning of the PCAs from their inception till date. The HC has kept the matter for hearing on February 26.
