Set up Police Complaints Authorities, NHRC tells Union Home Ministry, States

What is the News?

The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) core advisory group on criminal justice system reforms has issued several directives to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Governments on the reforms in the Criminal Justice System.

What are the recommendations given by NHRC?

Police Complaint Authorities: State and Central Governments should set up Police Complaints Authorities at the State/UT and district level as per the judgment in Prakash Singh vs. Union of India, 2006.

Include section 114B to the Indian Evidence Act: Government should consider implementing recommendations of the 113th report of the Law Commission to add Section 114 B to the Indian Evidence Act. This would ensure that in case a person sustains injuries in police custody, it is presumed that the injuries were inflicted by the police and the burden of proof to explain the injury lies on the authority concerned.

Technology Friendly Legal Framework: Make the legal framework technology-friendly to speed up the criminal justice system.

Install CCTVs in Police Stations: The Supreme Court’s December 2020 order to instal CCTV cameras with night vision in all police stations should be implemented immediately to ensure accountability. 

Community Policing: Involve trained social workers and law students with police stations as part of community policing and incorporate community policing in police manuals, laws and advisories.

Source: This post is based on the article “Set up Police Complaints Authorities, NHRC tells Union Home Ministry, States” published in The Hindu on 3rd November 2021.