SC extends timeframe for setting up of NSC

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) The Supreme court today extended till March 31 for compliance of its directions to set up a National Security Commission (NSC) by the Centre and State Security Commission (SSC) by indvidual states.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justices C K Thakker and R V Raveendran also extended the time for setting up of Police Establishment Board for suggesting improvement in service condition of police and paramilitary force personnel.

The court, however, dismissed the applications of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka seeking modifications of the court's directions dated September 22, 2006, holding that the applicant states cannot seek review of the judgment of the court in the garb of modifications of the order.

The court also directed the Centre and the state to comply with other directions of the court forthwith and file compliance report within four weeks.

The directions such as fixing the minimum tenure for DGP, IG, DIG, SSP and SO are to be carried out immediately.

The court also granted extension of time till March 31 for setting up of separate cells for investigation of the cases and for maintaining law and order.

The court reprimanded the Centre for not carrying out its directions properly.

The court had issued directions on a petition filed by former DGO Uttar Pradesh Parkash Singh for implementing the recommendations of various committees on police reforms.

At one stage, the Chief Justice remarked that the most important cause for deterioration of law and order situation is reluctance on the part of the police to register cases.

Senior Counsel Rajeev Dhawan appearing for state of UP and Bihar pointed out practical difficulties in separating investigation from law and duty. Giving the example of Nithari he said, ''It is very difficult to shift the police officer who is investigating the Nithari case.'' UNI