The government has decided to bring in a Bill for a new police Act for Union territories in this or the next session of Parliament, Home Minister Shivraj Patil stated in the Lok Sabha today.

The minister added that police being a state subject, he could only hope that the states would also enact similar laws.

The model police Act, drafted by a committee headed by eminent jurist Soli Sorabjee, has been sent to state governments for their consideration. The committee examined the Supreme Court directives on police reforms, Law Commission reports, parliamentary debates and the views of different states before drawing up the document.

Regarding the apex court favouring a fixed two-year tenure for police officials, Patil said this is fine in general. “... but at times, in the interest of the people and the criminal justice system, the principle cannot be rigidly applied,” he added. He said the SC has also directed that state security councils be formed, whose advice would be binding on state governments. These councils are meant to look into complaints against the police. “This is not in consonance with the Constitution,” said Patil.