Name police panel members by March 22, Home Secretary told

Passing interim orders on a petition pending in this regard since 2012, Justice N Kirubakaran, said, “Considering the fact that the order has been passed in the case as early as July 2, 2012 and also considering the fact that about 600 to 700 desertions are taking place in the police force and that 19 suicides were reported in 2010, 31 cases in 2011, 58 cases in 2012, 31 cases in 2013, 27 cases in 2014 and 16 cases in 2017, this court is of the view that it may not be in the interest of the police as well as the public to postpone the appointment of the commission, as suggested by this court.” 

“Serious efforts have to be taken to appoint the commission to determine definite working hours for the police personnel and regular mental and health checkups for the well-being of the police personnel,” the judge said. 

Also, noting that many police persons, who have been recruited for doing police work are deployed as servants in the houses of present higher officials as orderly, thereby wasting the police force, Justice Kirubakaran also sought answers to as many as 12 questions posed by him including whether orderly system has been abolished by way of passing a GO during 1979 or not and if so how the orderly system is continuing? 

Seeking to know as to how many police persons are employed as orderly in the residence of present and retired officials, Justice Kirubakaran in his order pointed out that policemen are being paid from public exchequer and they are supposed to do public service and not individual work in the houses of police officials. 

“If they want, the officials can appoint office assistants, house maids for their domestic work or they could be sent through the Public Works Department. But there should not be any policeman in the name of orderly,” the judge added before posting the case for further hearing to March 22.