Mangalore: PUCL State Prez P B D’Sa urges CM to appoint members for Police Complaints Authority

By John V Tauro
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 10 Nov 2013: The chairman and secretary are appointed for Police Complaints Authority, but other members are yet to be appointed, said Karnataka state PUCL president P B D’Sa.

 
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held here on Saturday November 9, P B D’Sa said that both Police establishment Board and Police Complaints Authority members should be appointed immediately and necessary infrastructure should be provided for the same. If this is not done, PUCL will start agitations all over the State after a month time. The implementation of these bodies will stop interference of politicians in the police Dept. and all appointments, transfers and promotions will be based on proper rules and regulations and it will stop victimization of honest police officers, said D’Sa.

 

 
The Police Complaints Authority will be given an opportunity for the citizens to get justice when the police department indulges in illegalities - fake encounters and torture, added D’Sa.

 
Justice Saldanha said that no useful purpose would be served by appointing CBI inquiry into Dharmastala case. The best thing would be to get the case investigated by any district level or High Court Judge. The court can take sue motu cognizance of the case or any citizen or NGO can approach any court for this purpose.

 
He cited the case of Jessica Lal who was shot dead by a rich and power full youngster and though the trial court ordered 6 months prison terms, under public pressure a re-investigation was ordered by the Delhi High Court and the young man was awarded 2 years jail term.

 
Similarly, in Assaram case, though the government was hesitating to take action against Assaram Bapoo on public pressure action, but he was arrested, and there was no public out cry or any public disturbance. Therefore, in the present Dharmasthala case if proper legal steps are taken there will be no public disturbance at all, said Justice Saldanha.

 
In fact since there is so much of resentment and public outcry against rape and murder and disappearance cases since twenty years, the state government should intervene and take-over the Dharmasthala case situations, added Justice Saldanha.

 
PUCL vice president Suresh Bhat and treasurer B F Pinto were present at the press meet.