Cases of misuse of power by police personnel or not taking necessary action on related complaints are very common, necessitating the establishment of an authority to prevent the misuse of powers by them. In an effort to tighten the noose against police personnel with a casual approach and laxity, the Haryana State Police Complaint Authority (HSPCA) was established. It has come to light that complaints in various categories against police officers and employees are being reported to the concerned authority on a large scale, and steps have been taken to ensure justice for the complainant.
Furthermore, information received from the authority indicates that HSPCA is continuously witnessing an acute increase in complaints, receiving an average of about 35 to 40 complaints a month against police personnel. This is a matter of serious concern as it tarnishes the image of the police department. Data received from the authority reveals that during a five-year period from 2019 to 2023, as many as 1323 complaints were received by the HSPCA. Thus, it is evident from the statistics that, on average, more than 250 complaints are being reported every year.
Nearly 900 complaints have been filed in the last two years. In 2019, the authority received 134 complaints against police personnel, while in 2020, it received 66 complaints during the corona pandemic.
Thus, with 224 cases, HSPCA witnessed an almost fourfold increase in complaints against police personnel in 2021. The maximum number of complaints has been received in the last two years, with the authority receiving 443 and 456 complaints in 2022 and 2023, respectively. According to the data from both years, the authority has received 889 complaints.
Anil Vij, who holds the portfolio of the state Home Minister, has continuously raised questions about the working style of the police. On his behalf, complaints regarding several cases against police personnel have also been forwarded to the authority. In the last two years, as many as 42 complaints have been sent by Anil Vij to the authority, with 36 complaints sent in 2022 and 6 in 2023. Notably, due to the casual approach of police personnel, he issued suspension orders for 372 Investigating Officers (IOs) who were stalling the investigation of cases, creating a stir in the department. In such a situation, the seriousness of the matter can be easily gauged, and the working style of the police personnel is truly under question. However, DGP Shatrujit Kapoor has also continuously stated that action will be taken against employees with a tainted image to ensure justice for victims.
HSPCA was constituted in 2010 by the State Government under the Haryana Police Act, 2007, and it was reconstituted on April 20, 2021, to improve the accountability of Haryana Police and provide citizens with an opportunity for fair redressal of their grievances. The nature of complaints against policemen includes detention or custody without due process of law, extortion, coercive acquisition of property, rape or attempted rape, death in police custody, grievous hurt, and involvement of police personnel in organized crime. Inaction by a police officer in committing any offense defined in the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), which is punishable with a minimum punishment of 10 years or more.
Former home secretary and retired IAS, who holds the portfolio of chairperson of HSPCA, Navraj Sandhu, said that in view of the complaints being received, necessary steps are being taken to ensure the timely disposal of the cases depending on their nature.
In case of not getting justice from police personnel or being exploited by the police in any way, now the concerned person can represent or address his problem before the HSPCA. Usually, in complaints received through the CM Window or other means, people dissatisfied with the police reach the government or higher officials against the police.
A person who is not getting justice from any police officer or employee can lodge his complaint by coming to the authority directly or by sending his complaint and an affidavit through email.
