Port Blair, Feb 11: The members of the Police Complaint Authority met the Lt. Governor at Raj Niwas recently. The Lt. Governor evinced keen interest in all matters concerning Police Complaint Authority and desired to involve the public representatives and the social activists to approach the Police Complaint Authority for the mitigation of the grievances of the general public in the matter of serious misconduct against the Police personnel.
The Andaman and Nicobar Administration constituted Police Complaint Authority for these islands during November, 2011. The Authority shall inquire into allegations of “serious misconduct” against Police Personnel, either suo moto or on a complaint received from a victim or any person on his/her behalf; the national or the State Human Rights Commission; the police; or any other source.
“Serious misconduct” for the purpose shall mean any act or omission of police officer that leads to or amounts to death in police custody; grievous hurt, as defined in Section 320 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860; rape or attempt to commit rape; arrest or detention without due process of law; extortion; land/house grapping; or any incident involving serious abuse of authority.
The Police Complaint Authority comprises of two members (one of them is woman member) and headed by Chairman. The Authority has started functioning from 23rd October, 2012 and the office of the Chairman, Police Complaint Authority, is situated at VIP Road, (Opposite Directorate of Education), Port Blair.
The Police Complaint Authority has appealed to the public to come forward with their genuine complaints against the Police without any fear and hesitation, a communication from its Chairman said.
