By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Supreme Court has issued notices to several State Governments including Meghalaya challenging the legality of various state police acts which are not in conformity with the guidelines of the Apex Court.
The Supreme Court was acting on the petition of former police official Prakash Singh, who filed the case in the Court on May 10. The states have to reply within six weeks and the case will come up on July 9, an official source said.
The recently amended Meghalaya Police Act has come under scanner for putting restriction on eligible police officials, who are serving in Meghalaya and elsewhere in the country at the rank and pay of DGP, from becoming the Meghalaya police chief.
The Police Act also limited the tenure of DGP to one year whereas the Supreme Court guideline puts it at two years.
The Court said that the selection of State DGPs should
be from among the three senior most police officials whereas in Meghalaya several names are considered.
As per the Apex Court, the respective state governments should adhere to the recommendation of police establishment boards to effect the transfer of DSPs and the reason for non-adherence has to be communicated in writing.
In case of Meghalaya, the Board only recommends the transfer of officers at the level of inspectors and below and the Government may or may not agree.
