Submit affidavits on model police act in SC: Bedi

Ujjain (MP), Apr 5: Ramon Magsaysay recipient and the first lady IPS officer Kiran Bedi has asked all the state governments to submit affidavits in response to the Supreme Court directive on police reforms based on the recommendations of former Attorney General Soli Sorabji's model police act.

Dr Bedi, while receiving the Krantiveer Award 2007 at a programme organised near Kshipra river here last night, said police's impartiality could be put into question unless all state governments carried out police reforms.

She felt that IPS officers, IAS officers, intellectuals, social activists and other sections of society must come together at one platform and advocate for the model police act so that an impartial image of police could be brought about.

The model act fixed the minimum tenure of the DGP at two years besides providing special powers to police. This would bring about a change in the working style of police and police officials would be able to take independent decisions.

She urged Minister of State for Home Nagendra Singh, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, to submit in the affidavit -- to be presented by the Madhya Pradesh government before the Supreme Court on April 10 -- the decision to implement model police act.

The first lady IPS officer said police reforms would ensure early justice to people besides punishment to criminals, who would come out as a reformed person.

She stressed on the need for everyone to work together for resolving burning issues in society besides doing welfare work.

She donated Rs 21,000 -- received as cash component of the award -- to the children of the Sevadham Ashram.

She also gave the shawls -- received as a part of the honour -- to programme organiser Prakash Raghuvanshi to be donated to the needy.

Mr Singh praised Dr Bedi for her work while discharging her duties and serving the country in a selfless manner. Minister of State for Education Paras Jain also addressed the programme.

UNI