Open Access Research Article
GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE? EVALUATING THE INDIAN POLICE SYSTEM, IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES, AND PROPOSING REFORMS
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GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE?
EVALUATING THE INDIAN POLICE SYSTEM, IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES,
AND PROPOSING REFORMS
AUTHORED BY - SAURABH SHUKLA
Abstract
The Term Police stands for the official organization that is responsible
for protecting people and property,
making people obey the law, finding out about and solving crime, and catching
people who have committed a crime.[1]
Police plays a vital role in maintaining internal peace and social justice. The Indian police have its
establishment germ in the British India. British establish the police to suppress the voice of Bharat’s
Freedom and put a sense of terror in the eyes of freedom fighter; the police went various
changes after the independent but still many citizen are a sense of scared to approach the police. Neither
the color nor public trust against police as been changed, people still see the police
as sense of fear. This paper will provide a detailed overview
of the police system in India, including a few real incident
that highlights, which
questions the effectiveness of police system, challenges, problem
faced with Indian
police system etc.
Keyword: Police Reform,
Challenges, failure of Policing, Corruption
Hypothesis:
This
research endeavors to delve into the multifaceted challenges confronting the Indian police system and their subsequent implications on societal
perceptions and functioning. By examining historical foundations, current operational aspects, and challenges
faced, we aim to outline the critical areas necessitating
reform. Through an in-depth analysis of key incidents and policy recommendations, we seek to propose
viable solutions that can enhance the effectiveness,
transparency, and public trust in the Indian police system. Our objective is to advocate for a reformed
police system that can address the existing deficiencies and contribute to a safer
and more just society.
Introduction
The Police Act, 1861 interprets the Word Police shall include all persons
who shall be enrolled under this Act; the word “person”
shall include a company or corporation;”
[2] In common parlance,
the term "police" refers to the government agency responsible
with maintaining public safety, enforcing
the law, monitoring down criminal activity, investigating crimes, and
apprehending offenders. An essential component
of India's criminal
justice system is the police force. The police are essential in the detection and prevention
of crime. The primary duty of the police is to uphold law and order, prevent and identify crimes, and bring
offenders to justice. Additionally, it is essential
for preserving the peace; however, there has been discussion about the
effectiveness of the Indian
police system for many decades.
The Preamble of Police Act 1860 states
that” Preamble: - WHEREAS it is expedient to re-organise the police and to make it
a more efficient instrument for the prevention and detection of crime;”
History of Indian
Police System:
India's prevailing police structure has its roots
in the British colonial era. In Calcutta,
the East India
Company established the country's first police force in 1779. (Now
Kolkata). This police force's main goals were to
uphold law and order, safeguard British interests, and put an end to any
uprising or demonstration
against British rule. The Revolt of 1857 placed a major role in establishment
of police system in India. The
British government additionally introduced the Indian Police Act of 1861, which established the rules for the
Indian police system. The Superintendent of Police (SP) is the highest-ranking
officer in each district, according to the Act, which established a
hierarchical structure for police forces.
The Indian Police Act of 1861 continued to control India's police force
after the country attained independence in 1947. The state governments of those states however, significantly altered the structure and duties of the police
forces in various
states. Since the police are deemed to be a state subject under Article 246 of the Indian
Constitution, state governments, with few exceptions, are responsible for establishing the laws and
policies that govern each police force. In
simple words, The Indian
Constitution, which went into effect in 1950, gave state governments control
over maintaining public
order and enforcing
the law. Because of this, each state in India has a separate police
force that is in responsible of maintaining law and order
within its borders.
The Police Act, 1861:
The British Government passed the Police Act, 1861 on March 22, 1861, prior to India's independence, in an effort to reorganize
the police and make it a more effective tool for crime detection and prevention. 47 Sections comprise this Act. Various
Sections of the Act enumerate the
constitution of the forces under the supervision of the State Government. the
powers of the Inspector-General, the
appointment, disciplinary action on officers, the power of the Inspector- General to make rules, additional
police-officers employed at the cost (sic) of individuals, the appointment of additional force in the
vicinity of railway and other works. the quartering of additional police in disturbed or dangerous districts, the awarding
of commissions, and the power
of the Inspector-General to make The
Act also defines
the powers of special police
officers, fine on refusal to serve as special police
officers, authority to be exercised by police officers, village police officers, and police-chaukidars in the Presidency of Fort William. It
also provides for police officers to be always on duty and may be
employed in any part of the
district and to take charge of unclaimed property and be subject to Magistrate's orders as to
disposal (sic). A provision that Magistrate may detain property and issue proclamation, confiscation of
property if no claimant appears, penalties for neglect of duty, etc. have also been mentioned. The Act also has a provision for the regulation of public assemblies and processions and licensing of the same, powers with regard
to assemblies and processions violating
conditions of license; provision of punishment for certain offenses like causing
a nuisance on roads or cruelty to animals etc.; recovery of penalties and fines imposed
by Magistrates; limitation of
actions; and other provisions. It also mandates police officers to keep a diary
and prescribes the authority of the District
Superintendent of Police over village
police. The principal Act has been amended from time to time as per the functional requirements.
Functions and Basic working of the Indian Police
System:
Functions:
The police
system in India has several
functions, including maintaining law and order,
preventing and detecting
crimes, protecting life and property, and bringing offenders to justice. The
primary duties of the police are to prevent crime
and maintain the peace. According
to the 1861 Act, police
are responsible for gathering information, bringing offenders to justice, and preventing the commission
of crimes and public nuisances harming the public's peace; and maintain order
in all public areas while taking into
account the evolving political and social climate. Section 57 of the model Police Act states the function of Police.
Basic Working of Police System:
1. The police
system in India is responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing crime,
and investigating criminal cases. It is a complex system that operates at
various levels, including the central, state, and local levels.
2. At the central
level, the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for formulating policies and
providing guidance to the state police departments. The Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) is also a key agency that investigates high-profile cases
and cases involving multiple states.
3. At the
state level, the police system is headed by a Director General of Police (DGP)
and consists of various units, such as the Crime Branch, Special Branch, and
Traffic Police. Each state has its own police force, which is responsible for
maintaining law and order within the state.
4. At the
local level, police stations are responsible for investigating and preventing
crime within their jurisdiction. Each police station is headed by a Station
House Officer (SHO) and has several subordinate officers and staff.
5. The police
system in India also includes specialized agencies, such as the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB), which collects and analyzes crime data, and the Rapid
Action Force (RAF), which is been deployed in situations such as communal riots
or natural disasters.
Hierarchy of state police:
(Sources: Bureau of Police Research
and Development; Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative; PRS.)
Challenges faced by Indian
Police System:
The police system in India faces several challenges; some of the problem and real incident
that highlighted the same problems
are been enlisted
below:
Lack of Training:
In Towards Modern and Digital evolving world, one of the most significant
challenges faced by the Indian police
system is a lack of training with respect to modern Digital crimes. Many police officers
are not been adequately trained
to handle modern
policing challenges, such as cybercrime, terrorism, and forensic investigation. As a result, they may
not be able to effectively prevent and detect
crimes. There are many initiatives taken by the government to improve the same
but this initiative are giving
success at a slow rate. However, whereas Crime related to Cybercrimes such as online stacking, identity thief,
online fraud etc. are significantly increase every passing days. Due to which a modern
training relating to working in today’s digital
working is lacking.
Inadequate Resources:
Another significant challenge faced by the police system in India is a
lack of resources. Many police
stations in India are been underfunded and understaffed, which can lead to a
lack of basic amenities such as
equipment and vehicles. The CAG audits had reported a shortage in several states of weapons with state police
forces. Police vehicles are also in short supply. Many Police officers are trying their best to manage
with inadequate resources but this can hinder their ability to effectively perform their duties. This
Issue is also been the Highlighted issue in two hundred and seven report about police-training, modernization and
reforms by Parliamentary Committee report. Government need to increase
the spending on Police system
for its development in modern
world and for its smooth functioning to provide justice.
Corruption:
Corruption is a pervasive problem in the police system in India. Many
police officers are known to take
bribes and engage in other forms of corrupt behavior. This can undermine public
trust in the police and hinder
their ability to effectively prevent and detect
crimes.
Overburden Police:
The police force in India is severely understaffed and underfunded, with
working conditions for the personnel
with long working
hours and an enormous workload, which also affects
their mental health a lot. This leads to overburdened
and overworked police officers who often lack the necessary resources and equipment to carry out their duties effectively. As of January 2016, the state forces had 24% vacancies (5.5
lakh) and the central forces had 7% vacancies. India has 137 police personnel per lakh of the
population while the sanctioned strength is 181 and this is very inadequate when compared to the United
Nations recommended standard of 222 personnel per lakh people.
Public Perception:
According to the Second ARC, people's perceptions of the police are that
they are unresponsive, ineffective,
corrupt, and politically partisan. Furthermore, the public fears dealing with
the police or visiting a police
station. In society, there is a negative prospective in eyes of public, which
is not correct at certain points.
Police officers are required to interact with the public while carrying out their Duties. Additionally, they
require public assistance in carrying out their responsibilities, such as resolving crimes and upholding peace and order. It was also one was the Highlighted issue
by Parliamentary Committee report, several reforms were also recommended
to boot the Public- Police relation.
In addition to the aforementioned problems, the police system
in India also faces challenges related to modernization
and technology adoption. Many police departments across the country still rely on outdated methods of record keeping and
investigation, which can lead to inefficiencies and errors in the criminal justice process. There is a need for
greater investment in technology and modernization
of police departments, including the adoption of digital records management systems
and advanced crime analysis tools.
In conclusion, the police system in India faces a multitude of
challenges, ranging from lack of resources
and training to corruption and abuse of power. Issues related to modernization
and technology adoption, politicization of the police
force, and a crisis of trust further
compound these problems. To address these issues, there
is a need for significant reforms in the police system in India. This includes increasing funding
and resources for the police force, improving training and education for police officers,
strengthening anti-corruption measures and enforcement, reducing political interference, and increasing
accountability for police officers. Nevertheless, more such reforms
are need to improve the police system.
Few of Incident that Highlighted Problems in Police
system are been mentioned below:
1.
One
of the most infamous incidents that highlights the challenges faced by the
police system in India is the Nirbhaya
case, which occurred
in Delhi in December 2012.
Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, was gang-raped and brutally assaulted by six men on a moving bus in Delhi. She later
succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital.The Nirbhaya case received widespread attention in India and around
the world, and it led to a massive public outcry against
sexual violence against
women. The incident
also highlighted several
shortcomings in the police system
in India, including a lack of training, problem
related to registration case etc. But, Police System Improved its defect by introduction
of Nirbhaya squad, increase in awareness, immediate registration of F.I.R on receiving complain etc.[3] let there is much more improvement needed
in police system.
2. In
another incident, the 2019 Hyderabad
rape and murder case highlighted similar challenges faced by the police system in India. In November
2019, a 27-year-old veterinarian
was raped and murdered in Hyderabad. The police were criticized for their delayed response to the victim's family's
complaints, and for their failure to adequately protect the victim,
who had parked
her scooter near a toll plaza before
being abducted. The national Commission accused cops for delayed in response [4]
The incident sparked
widespread protests and calls for police reform,
with many demanding increased accountability and
training for police officers. The government
responded by launching several initiatives aimed at improving the
effectiveness of the police,
including the creation of special units to investigate crimes against women,
the introduction of mobile apps to
report crimes, and the use of CCTV cameras to monitor public spaces.
However, the incident
once again highlighted the challenges faced by the police
system in India and the need for continued reform
and improvement. The lack of accountability and sensitivity towards victims,
coupled with a lack of adequate resources and training, continues to be a major problem,
and incidents of sexual violence
against women remain a major concern in India.
3. Another incident that highlights the
challenges faced by the police system in India is the 2018 Kathua rape and murder case. In January 2018, an 8-year-old
girl from the Muslim nomadic
community was abducted, raped, and murdered in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. The case received widespread
media attention and sparked outrage across the country.
The police were criticized for their handling of the case, with many
alleging that the investigation was biased due to the victim's community and religion. Constable testifies
in court that sub inspector
forced him to make backdated entries to mislead probe and that sub inspector didn't deposit victim's
clothes in malkhana.[5].
The victim's family had also reported
facing threats and intimidation from members of the majority community, and there were reports
of police officers
trying to destroy
evidence and protect
the perpetrators. The case also highlighted the challenges
of investigating crimes in conflict zones, where there is often a lack of trust between the community and law
enforcement agencies. The case was
eventually transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which led
to the arrest and conviction of
several individuals involved in the crime.The incident led to calls for police reform and the need for improved
training and sensitivity towards marginalized communities. However, the challenges of addressing communal
tensions and ensuring
impartial investigations continue
to be a major challenge for the police system in India.
Reforms in Police System:
Not every system is perfect, with the course of time; Police System needs
several reforms for smooth functioning. In recent years, there have been several efforts
made in form of reform
aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the police system in India, Here are some of the key Report of various Committee about police reforms that have been
implemented or proposed by the government:
1. Reports of
the National Police Commission
The National Police Commission (NPC) was established in 1977 to
investigate police problems and
conduct a thorough assessment of the country's police infrastructure. The NPC
dealt with a variety of aspects of
how the police functioned. In the National Between February 1979 and May 1981, the Police Commission submitted
eight reports. On 1.2.1980, the Lok Sabha received the first report. The central government specifically instructed all state governments and UT administrations to examine the remaining
seven reports quickly and take the necessary action before releasing them in March 1983. The National Police
Commission's recommendations were implemented
by the Central Government by enlisting the help of the State Governments and UTs.At the Chief Minister's Conference on
the Administration of the Criminal Justice System, held on November 13, 1992, the major recommendations of the NPC
to amend the 1973 Code of Criminal Procedure were taken into consideration. These suggestions were included, among other things, in the Code of Criminal Procedure
(Amendment) Bill 1994 that was been presented in the Rajya Sabha. This Bill was approved on April 4, 2005, in the
Rajya Sabha, and on September 9, 2005,
in the Lok Sabha. A new Bill for the regulation of private security agencies
has been since, passed by the
Parliament and become an Act. Other significant NPC recommendations for the revision
of the curriculum for IPS probationer’s trainees
and the expansion of DCPW have already
been implemented.
2. Reports of the Ribero
Committee
The Government had established a Committee on May 25, 1998, under
the leadership of Shri J.F. Ribeiro, IPS, in response
to the Supreme Court of India's directives in the case of Prakash Singh
v.
Union of India and others regarding implementation of
the National Police Commission's recommendations (Retd.). Two reports
from the Ribeiro Committee were filed with the Supreme Court in 1998 and 1999, respectively.The Rebeiro
Committee approved the NPC's recommendations with a few changes. On
Tuesday, February 10, 2005, the case was heard by the Hon'ble Court, which ordered the Union of India and the relevant
State Governments, as well as the NHRC, to submit their
responses in response to the
directive issued in the Vineet Narain case and the implementation of Rebeiro's Committee recommendations.
3. Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh,
Special Leave Petition
(Criminal) No. 3542 of 2020:
·
In order for protection of Human Rights of Citizens, Hon'ble
Supreme court issued
directed to Central
& State Government for Installed CCTV system at all police
stations, with night
vision and audio and video footage.Every police station in the state
should have CCTV cameras installed, according to legislators. To make
sure that no area of the
police headquarters is left exposed,
CCTV cameras should
be installed at all entry and exit points, the police headquarters main door,
lock-ups, all passageways, meeting rooms, Inspector's room, Sub Inspector's room, areas outside the lock-up room,
and the station corridor. According
to their judgement, a bench ordered the Centre to "install CCTV cameras
and recording equipment in the
offices of" the CBI, NIA, and NCB. The recording should be set up so that the data is kept for at least
18 months.
·
Large posters should be made outside and inside the
police stations, which has to be in English, Hindi and vernacular language stating that they are under CCTV surveillancee
4. DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME
AFFAIRS , Submitted its report about "Police - Training, Modernization,
and Reforms on February 10, 2022." Several
commissions have been established over the past 40
years to look into police reforms. Among them are the National Police
Commission (1977), which was presided
over by Mr. Dharma Vira, the Committee on Reforms of the Criminal Justice System (2003), which was presided over by Dr.
V.S. Malimath, and the Committee
on Restructuring of Police
(2000, Chair: Mr. K. Padmanabhaiah). Additionally, the
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has previously offered a number of suggestions for enhancing the
policing system. The Committee's principal observations and suggestions are as follows:
A. Police Training
Chapter II states Police Training,
the committee noted that anguish
that the public image of police throughout the country is more on a negative
side. The Committee found that training
police officers in the comprehension and application of new technology is necessary in order to alter their
behaviour and develop soft skills. The Committee also recommends that
the MHA may advise States to
sensitize the investigating officers to use relevant provisions under the penal
laws while registering a case and precautions be taken during trial to secure conviction. It suggested changing
a number of aspects of existing training programs, including adding
courses on robotics, drone technology,
forensic sciences, and ballistics, emphasising arrest procedures and detainee
rights, including updates to laws, and
developing training manuals on regional customs of tribal people and other vulnerable groups. MHA may
allocate adequate funds and extend necessary resources for the establishment of cyber training
labs and strengthening/upgrading of existing cyber training infrastructure in all the States/UTs.It
also Recommended the national and State police academies should collaborate and share best practices with each other through online
interactions.
According to the Committee, effective communication, cutting-edge
equipment, and high levels of
mobility are essential for effective modern policing. The Committee laments the
fact that 143 police stations
lack wireless or mobile service,
638 police stations
lack telephones, and 257 police
stations lack vehicles in the nation. Insensitive states like Arunachal
Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab have police stations without
telephones or proper
wireless connectivity in the 21st century, which
is particularly concerning given that some of these States were rewarded
with better performance incentives in the 2018–19
fiscal year. Additionally, a significant number
of police posts in Jammu and
Kashmir, a Union Territory on a very sensitive border, lack phones and wireless
sets.The Committee therefore suggests that the MHA counsel
such States to outfit their police stations
with adequate vehicles and
communication tools right away, lest it result in the Center's unwillingness to provide modernization grants.MHA may
make sure that the necessary is done as soon as possible for the UTs.
Other Recommendation:
According to the Committee, there are roughly 21% fewer open positions
than the 26.2 lakh sanctioned
positions in state police forces. Personnel
are forced to work longer hours in difficult
circumstances, which reduces
the effectiveness of the force. It was suggested that the MHA counsel states and UTs to organise
police recruitment campaigns as a focused mission and get rid of the administrative bottlenecks for
hiring police officers at various levels. Additionally,
MHA may assign BPR&D to perform
research to identify police duties that can be delegated with the right training. The Committee noted that 31 states and the UT have established Police Complaints Authorities (PCA) to investigate
complaints against police officers at the state and district levels. According to the Committee, the PCA should be established independently of the police department. In order to ensure that the PCA has an independent composition,
it was advised that the MHA work
with the Ministry of Law and Justice and states. Retired senior civil servants,
eminent jurists, retired
High Court judges,
and women should
all be represented on the PCA. The Committee
also suggested that the MHA give states advice about the need for the internal grievance
redressal cell of police to operate in a
time-bound manner in order to guarantee that the grievances of wronged police
personnel are promptly addressed.
Few of Essential Reforms in Indian
Police system in are following:
Modernization of the Police:
There has been a push in India for increased technological investment and modernization of the police forces.
This includes implementing cutting-edge crime analysis tools, digital records management systems, and contemporary
communication technologies to enhance police
operations and investigations.
Promotion of Police Reforms: There is a need for greater promotion
of police reforms at all levels of government and society in India. This
includes raising public awareness about the importance of police reform, providing training and support for police
officers, and creating incentives to encourage police departments to adopt best practices and innovative approaches.
Smart Policing: To increase the efficiency of the police, the Indian
government has also started a number
of projects. Smart Policing is one such effort that aims to use technology to
enhance policing. This effort makes use of CCTV cameras
to monitor public locations as well as smartphone
apps for reporting crimes.Although these reform initiatives are a step in the
right direction, much more needs to
be done to solve the issues the Indian police department is now facing.
Police Recruitment and Training: The Indian government has acknowledged the need for improved police
recruitment and training
procedures. This includes
giving police officers
specialized training in
disciplines like forensic investigations, human rights, and community policing.
To increase diversity within the police
force, there is also a focus on hiring more women and candidates from underrepresented groups.
Others: There is need of other such essential reforms,
which are been recommended by the various
committee by time to time such as a specialized system for complaining against police, increasing awareness about police, increasing in the ratio of police per
lakhs people etc. The Government need
to address such recommendation and work in respect to making such
recommendation as reforms in current Police
System as soon as possible.
Punishment for police when the abuse the power:
1.
Excessive use
of force: If a police officer uses excessive force while carrying
out their duties,
they can face disciplinary action
or even criminal
charges under Section
161 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits the use of undue influence
or threats.
2.
Custodial violence: If a police officer engages in
violence or torture while a suspect is in their custody, they can face criminal charges
under Section 330 (voluntarily causing
hurt to extort confession) and Section 331 (voluntarily causing grievous
hurt to extort confession) of the Indian Penal Code.
3.
Corruption: If a police officer is found guilty of
corruption, they can face disciplinary action, fines,
and imprisonment under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
4.
Misuse of power: If a police officer misuses their
power or authority, they can face disciplinary action or criminal charges under
various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section
166 (public servant
disobeying law with intent to cause injury to any person), Section
167 (public servant
framing
5.
An incorrect document with intent to cause injury),
and Section 218 (public servant framing incorrect record or writing
with intent to save someone
from punishment).
6.
Sexual harassment: If a police officer is found guilty
of sexual harassment, they can face disciplinary action or criminal
charges under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressed) Act, 2013.
7.
Illegal detention: If a police officer detains someone
without a valid reason or beyond the
legal time limit, they can face criminal charges under Section 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian
Penal Code.
8.
Falsifying evidence: If a police officer falsifies or
fabricates evidence, they can face criminal charges
under Section 193 (false evidence)
and Section 195 (giving or fabricating false evidence) of the Indian
Penal Code.
9.
Failure to register
a complaint: If a police
officer refuses to register a complaint or FIR (First Information Report), they can face disciplinary action
and criminal charges
under Section 166A (public servant
disobeying direction under
law) and Section 166B (neglect
of duty to apprehend) of the Indian
Penal Code.
10.
Use of fake Encounters: If a police officer engages in
a fake encounter, i.e., killing a person
in cold blood and then claiming that the person was a criminal, they can face criminal
charges under Section
302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.
11.
Discrimination: If a police officer discriminates
against a person based on their caste, religion, gender,
or other factors,
they can face disciplinary action
and criminal charges
under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of
Atrocities Act, 1989.
12.
Cybercrime: If a police officer is found guilty of
cybercrime, such as hacking, data theft,
or online harassment, they can face criminal charges under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Indian Penal Code.
13.
Offences related to drugs: If a police officer is
found involved in drug trafficking or abusing drugs, they can face criminal
charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
14.
Dereliction of duty: If a police officer is found
guilty of dereliction of duty, such as neglecting
their duty, failing to report an offense, or not taking necessary action, they can face disciplinary action and criminal
charges under various sections of the Indian
Penal Code and the Police
Act, 1861.
15.
Involvement in organized crime: If a police officer is
found involved in organized crime,
such as running a criminal gang or being a part of one, they can face criminal charges under various sections of the
Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control
of Organized Crime
Act, 1999.
Conclusion:
The Indian Police
system is not a jellyfish but a multicellular evolving body, one should not forget the all sacrifices that police have in do
while performing their duties, there are many defect in Indian Police system but the Government and the police system in
itself is trying to reduce such defects.
At a various circumstance questioned has been raised against the Indian Police
system, but The Indian Police
System and The Government had tried to address the same address
the same. At various incident, police officers have
sacrificed there life has to protect of citizens; one must utmost
respected the martyred
police officers and their sacrifices towards the nation. According to a
2018 survey of 15,562 respondents across 22 states on perceptions about
policing, the Lokniti team at the Centre
for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) found that less than 25% of Indians
trust the police highly (as compared to 54% for the army).[6]
There are various
recommendation to increase the trust among the police in various
reports. No system is truly prefects
in the passage of time; every system need to evolve and reduce the defects in
course of time, Indian Police System
must introduce reform in current working system for its smooth functioning and to cover up its defects and flaw of the Indian
Police system.
[1] Cambridge Dictionary,
'Police,' Cambridge Dictionary (last visited September 15, 2023),
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/police.
[3] Times of India, '10 Years of
Nirbhaya Case: Policing Up but Long Way to Go,' Times of India (publication
date not available), https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/10-years-of-nirbhaya-case-policing-up-but-long-way- to-go/articleshow/96291487.cms (last visited September 15, 2023).
[4] Mumbai Mirror,
'Hyderabad Rape and Murder Case: National Commission for Women Accuse
Cyberabad Cops of Delay
in Response,' Mumbai Mirror (publication date not available), https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/hyderabad-rape-and-murder-case-national-commission-for- women-accuse-cyberabad-cops-of-delay-in-response/articlesh (last visited September 15, 2023).
[5] Economic Times,
'Kathua Rape and Murder:
Trail Cop Washed Dress,
Concocted Evidence,' Economic
Times (last updated: July 17, 2018), https://economictimes.indiatimes.com//news/politics-and-nation/kathua-rape-and-murder- trail-cop-washed-dress-concocted- evidence/articleshow/65030316.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst (last visited
September 15, 2023).
[6] LiveMint, 'India's Police Force
Among the World's Weakest,' LiveMint (June 19, 2019), https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-s-police-force-among-the-world-s-weakest-1560925355383.html (last visited September 19, 2023).
Article Information
GUARDIANS OF JUSTICE? EVALUATING THE INDIAN POLICE SYSTEM, IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES, AND PROPOSING REFORMS
Authors: SAURABH SHUKLA
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2023/10/31
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Access Open Access
- License CC 4.0
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