Prakash Singh Case and Police Reforms
The Prakash Singh case is significant for police reforms in India. The Supreme Court laid down guidelines for the selection of Director-Generals of Police (DGPs) to ensure independence from political influence.
Guidelines Outlined by the Supreme Court
- DGPs must be selected from among three senior-most IPS officers empanelled by the UPSC.
- Fixed two-year tenure for DGPs to ensure stability and independence.
- The use of acting DGPs was rejected to prevent manipulation of appointments.
Current Issues and Observations
- States are circumventing these guidelines by appointing acting DGPs, avoiding regular appointments.
- The Supreme Court's 2006 judgment aimed to separate police leadership from political pressures.
- Recent observations by the Supreme Court indicate non-compliance, with some states delaying the proposal submissions to UPSC.
Specific Case: Telangana
- The last regular DGP retired nine years ago in November 2017, and no proposal has been sent for a regular appointment since.
- The UPSC reported that Telangana continues with acting DGPs, contrary to the court's directives.
Supreme Court's Directions
- Directed the UPSC to remind states to submit proposals in a timely manner.
- Gave UPSC the liberty to approach the Supreme Court if states ignore communications.
- Instructed the UPSC to hold meetings and make recommendations to the Telangana government within four weeks.
These developments highlight ongoing challenges in implementing police reforms aimed at ensuring a politically neutral law enforcement leadership in India.
