Assembly passes Haryana Police Bill

Chandigarh, Mar 21 (UNI) The Haryana assembly today passed the Haryana Police Bill seeking to make the police force efficient, professional, accountable and people-friendly in line with a Supreme Court directive on police reforms.

Moving the bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed Haryana had become the first state in the country to bring such a law.

The bill, when enacted as a new law, would replace the Police Act, 1861.

With the radical changes in the political, social and economic situation in the country after independence, a need has been felt to redefine the role, duties and responsibilities of the police to meet the emerging challenges of policing and good governance of human rights, Mr Surjewala said.

Among other things, a State Police Board would be constituted under the proposed bill to keep checks and balances in the police force. The Board would be headed by the Chief Minister and its members would include leader of the opposition, Chief Secretary and a retired judge.

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