The Supreme Court of India has passed seven directives on 22nd September, 2006 on police reforms in a writ petition (civil) No. 310 of 1996 filed by Prakash Singh and others.
Out of the seven directives, the first six were meant for the States/Union Territories (UTs) while the seventh directive related solely to the Central Government.
The directives of the Supreme Court had been forwarded to all the States/UTs on 26th September, 2006 for implementation.
In the year 2007, the Union Government had set up a Committee on National Security and Central Police Personnel Welfare and on 12.02.2007, filed an application before the Supreme Court, stating difficulties in implementation of the seventh directive. With regard to other six directives on model police reform measures, so far 20 States/UTs have implemented whereas 16 have partly implemented.
Police reform measures are also supported through grants-in-aid released to the State Governments under the Scheme for Modernisation of State Police Force (MPF) by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Major items of Police infrastructure covered are mobility, modern weaponry, training infrastructure facilities, forensic science equipment, security equipment, traffic equipment etc.
Further, the Central Government had constituted a Committee to draft a new Model Police Act, which was published in 2006. A copy of the draft Model Police Act, 2006 as framed by the Committee was sent to States for consideration and appropriate action. So far, 17 States have enacted a new Police Act or amended their existing Act.
The Model Police Act, 2006 was reviewed again, in line with the changing realities and making ‘Police’ more responsive, efficient and citizen friendly. Accordingly, a revised Model Police Bill, 2015 has been prepared and uploaded on BPR&D’s website for public comments and feedback.
