MP Govt’s draconian draft bill to strengthen public safety in cities

The Madhya Pradesh government’s draft Madhya Pradesh Jan Suraksha Evam Sanraksha 2018 Bill to strengthen public safety and maintain law and order in the major cities of Bhopal and Indore, includes some worrying provisions. As per the proposed bill, police can keep suspects under house arrest till they wish, inspect buildings or residences without any search warrant and even police constables would have powers to arrest. Moreover, Section 25 of this draft says that no legal action can be taken against the police officers for actions taken complying with the provisions of the act.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced last month that the government intends to introduce police commissioner system in Bhopal and Indore after deteriorating law and order in the state.

Since 2012, police commissioner system issue pops up whenever law and order deteriorates in the state. The recent failure of police to maintain law and order during the Bharat Bandh in the state April 2, 2018 again triggered the debate over the system.

The police department sees this bill as a panacea for all crimes, but the draft has been drawing criticism by former DGPs of the state. Former DGP Arun Gurtu said, “There are countless laws to maintain law and order and curb crime but the only thing which is lacking is proper implementation. Police needs to focus on implementation of existing law, not to seek more power. Moreover, there are major chances that police and politicians can misuse this power to harass their opponents.”

Another former DGP Nandan Dubey said, “There should be check and balance in any law proposed. A police officer cannot be allowed to just knock on anyone's door. The act should ensure accountability.”

However, state Home Minister Bhupendra Singh cites this bill an important for women’s safety in both the cities.