MEDHA PATKAR Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Deshmukh, the learned Counsel representing the Petitioners and Mr. Samant, the learned AGP representing Respondent Nos.1 to 5-State.

(2.) The subject matter of this Petition, filed in larger public interest, is functioning of the State Police Complaints Authority and the Divisional Police Complaints Authorities, which have been constituted pursuant to the judgment and order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Prakash Singh & Ors. Vs. Union of India & Ors.,(2006) 8 SCC 1.

(3.) Three concerns appear to have been raised in this Petition. The first is on account of the vacancies in the State Police Complaints Authority and the Divisional Police Complaints Authorities and according to the Petitioner, these Authorities are not able to appropriately discharge their functions as mandated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The second grievance is in relation to anomalous pay being offered and paid to the Chairperson and the Members of these Authorities and the third grievance is in regard to lack of publicity of the functioning of these Authorities, as a result of which the general public, who have some complaints against the police authorities, are unaware of these Authorities and, hence, they are unable to seek redressal of their grievance.