SHILLONG: The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has said that the strong monitoring by the Apex court is the only way to prevent backsliding of police reforms.
In a statement on Tuesday, the CHRI said that the Supreme Court-delivered directives on police reforms can address common ills that give rise to poor police performance and unaccountable law enforcement.
“Police reforms in India remain a distant dream because states have distorted the envisioned reforms to preserve the status quo, instead of bringing in genuine changes,” remarked Sanjoy Hazarika, CHRI’s International Director.
“Government failure to adhere to the directives can only be cured by the Supreme Court’s continued monitoring,” he added.
With reports of the unleashing of police force during the COVID-19 lockdown, the CHRI has highlighted the need for police reform based on human rights.
The CHRI said that while 18 states have since passed new Police Acts to incorporate the directives, none fully comply with the Supreme Court’s standards or suggested legislative models.
The remaining 11 states (including erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir) have taken a further piecemeal approach of implementing the directives through executive orders, it added.
“Either way, there has not been adequate consultation, either within the police or with the public, in shaping or implementing the reform measures envisioned through the directives,” the CHRI said.