SC raps Punjab,Bihar over police brutality

The order came after the court took suo motu cognisance of the media reports

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre,state governments and Union Territories on the status of police reforms till date.

Citing its 2006 order on the issue that included enhanced police accountability,the court asked all chief and home secretaries and DGPs to file their responses on the extent of compliance within a week.

A Bench led by G S Singhvi directed the Punjab DGP to file his own affidavit on the action taken against policemen who had mercilessly beaten an innocent and unarmed woman on March 3 in Tarn Taran district.

The order came after the court took suo motu cognisance of the media reports about police personnel beating up a girl in Tarn Taran in Punjab and protesting contract teachers in Bihar.

Punjabs counsel submitted that a magisterial inquiry was on and the two accused policemen have been suspended. Are we using colour glasses? The inquiry should have been over in 24 hours. Millions saw it (on TV). Was the lady a terrorist that she was beaten on a highway? What can ever justify beating a helpless woman with a stick? Does it not shock you? If the government was sincere,all necessary steps should have been taken the next day, shot back the court.

The Bench also asked the Bihar DGP to explain the rationale of beating the agitating teachers. Last week,the police had lathicharged protest contract teachers in Patna outside the Assembly.

Concurring with Attorney General G E Vahanvatis submission that there was a systemic failure requiring the courts intervention,the Bench said accountability of senior policemen would be a primary issue.

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Senior advocates Harish Salve and U U Lalit,who are assisting the court as amicus curiae,also said that punishing lower-level policemen would not serve the purpose and senior officers must be made accountable.

Also questioning the conscience and sensitivity of society towards its women,the court regretted that nobody came forward to help these women when they were being assaulted.

What is the accountability of the citizens? Where have we come? Have we become a senseless and insensitive society? We realise there are thousands of untold stories that are yet to come to light, it remarked.