Patna HC wants IPS officer to supervise construction of police station buildings

Apart from the fact that 471 police stations in Bihar are functioning in rented or other premises, the Patna High Court on Wednesday considered appointing a judicial officer to judicially monitor the provision of necessary infrastructure to the 1,263 police stations in the state. 

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Partha Sarthy, hearing a PIL instituted on an injunction issued on a regular bail plea, asked Advocate General (AG) P K Shahi to provide a list of "executive officers" of India. Police Service (IPS) was sent to Bihar on Thursday for this purpose.

The two judges also said that a police officer, irrespective of his appointment and cadre in the police department, will act as an officer of the High Court to coordinate with the government for time-bound provision of a building and other infrastructural requirements for police stations that do not have their own building.

Shahi and other AG Anjani Kumar submitted the government's report informing the court that out of 1,263 police stations/buildings in the state, 792 have their own building and remaining 471 police stations are functioning from rented/other buildings. Sanction for construction of new buildings has been given for 421 police stations and in the stage of approval of funds for the remaining 50 police stations. They further said that out of 38 police stations in notified Maoist areas of Bihar, 32 will have their own building by the end of this month.

The Chief Secretary directed the concerned authorities to regularly inspect and maintain the evidence room (maalkhana) at each police station. After hearing the AG and AAG, the judges said, "Such sanctions and building approvals for 421 police stations are still on paper. Are we tensed when the foundation stone will be laid and the entire construction will be completed? To ensure speedy and Timely construction of police buildings, we are thinking of appointing an official IPS as a judicial officer." added the court.

Shahi assured the judge of providing the list of IPS officers on February 9 when the matter will be heard again.