Submit affidavits on model police act in SC: Bedi asks state govts

Ujjain, MP, Apr 5 (UNI) Ramon Magsaysay recipient and the first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi has asked all 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 impartiality could be put into question unless all the state governments carried out police reforms.

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

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

Dr Bedi urged Minister of State for Home Nagendra Singh, who was the 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 the model police act.

The first woman IPS officer said police reforms would ensure speedy justice to the people besides punishment to criminals, who would come out as reformed people.

She stressed on the need for everyone to work together for resolving critical 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 handed 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 attended the programme.

UNI