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Following the Supreme Court directions, the Delhi Government plans to set up a Police Complaint Authority (PCA) to hear complaints of extortion, harassment, abuse, unlawful detention or arrest by the Delhi Police.

The panel will consist of a Chairperson appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. For the other members the Delhi Government has recently invited applications for three posts to be filled up. The Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court has also proposed a panel of names for the position of the chairman. The other members of the PCA include a retired IAS officer, a former IPS officer and a person of repute from the civil society.

The role of the PCA would be to inquire into acts and omissions including misconduct by the Delhi Police. It will also look into matters of serious allegations or any cases of deaths in police custody or commission of rape or its attempt thereof, detention without following the procedure prescribed by law, unlawful procurement of any land or any other abuse of power by the Delhi-Police-officials.

Such cases are currently referred to the Public Grievance Commission, but subsequently will be heard by the PCA. Any case before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will continue to be heard by them or any statutory bodythereof.

This step would make the police more accountable and make them respect human rights of the people. The police officials would be required to strictly follow it to ensure healthy exercise of their power. The public can dial on 08473- 253730 or submit the complaint directly to higher officials at the level of the Superintendent of Police.