Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to constitute a Police Accountability Commission within the next four months, as mandated under the Meghalaya Police Act, 2010.
A division bench observed that even 15 years after the legislation came into force, the commission—intended to ensure transparency and accountability within the police force—has not yet been established.
The directive came while hearing a public interest litigation that highlighted the government’s failure to constitute the panel within the stipulated three-month period after the Act came into effect.
Under Chapter XII of the Act, the commission is envisioned as a key body to review police functioning, look into complaints of misconduct, and advise the state on improving policing standards.
According to Section 74 of the Act, the panel should comprise a retired principal secretary-level officer as chairperson, a former police officer of at least IGP rank, and an expert with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in law, judiciary, or public administration.
The appointments are to be finalised based on recommendations from a committee consisting of the home minister, chief secretary, home secretary, and director general of police.
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The bench emphasised that the commission would have the authority to review investigations, recommend departmental action in cases of misconduct, and ensure fair and timely inquiries.
Describing the mechanism as “healthy for the police administration of the state,” the court rejected the government’s argument that other laws currently address similar functions.
It clarified that until the 2010 Act is amended or repealed, its provisions must be implemented.
Disposing of the PIL, the court set a four-month deadline for the government to constitute the Police Accountability Commission.
