CSFHR Delegation meets Odisha Governor, opposes Police Bill 2015

A delegation of Civil Society Forum on Human Rights (CSFHR) met the Governor of Odisha Dr. S.C.Jamir saturday and request him not to accord his assent to the Odisha Police Bill, 2015, as it violates various Constitutional and statutory provisions and urged him to send it back to the Odisha Legislative Assembly for reconsideration in the light of the said provisions as required under Article 200 of Constitution.

The Governor assured the delegation team to review the Bill and seek the opinion of legal advisor over the issue, the team members said while integrating with media.

The objective of the Bill is to replace the Police Act, 1861 and Odisha State Armed Police Act, 1946 to bring in a comprehensive police law for the state which incorporates the directives of the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case, and the standards laid down in the Model Police Act, 2006.

It is encouraging that the Bill has followed these in part, but there are certainly some significant omissions and dilutions which need to be addressed and amended, the delegation team told the Governor.

The Bill was passed at the time when the Legislators of opposition had staged a walkout from the Assembly. So, there was no scope of debate or extensive deliberation on this important draft legislation.

In its present form, the Bill requires fundamental changes if it is to be in compliance with the suggested legal standards and have the possibility of reforming the police in the public interest, said Dhirendra Panda, the head of the delegation team. Human rights activist Chandranath Dani and Akhand were the other two members in the delegation.