Bhubaneswar/February 25
The Orissa High Court (HC) has quashed the proposal of the Odisha government to allow qualified Graduate Constables and Criminal Intelligence (CI) Havildars of Odisha Police to investigate certain cases.
A Bench headed by Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra ordered, “This court has no hesitation in concluding that the Police circular Order No. 393 dated 21.05.2022 conferring power of investigation on constables and CI Havildars is unsustainable in law. Therefore, the same is hereby quashed.”
The High Court order further read, “Further letter dated 10.06.2022 under Annexure-7 written by the IG of Police Training, BPSPA, Odisha to All District SPs requesting them to send GC and CI Havildars for in-service training under PCO No.393 dated 21.05.2022 is also unsustainable in law in view of the fact that PCO No. 393 dated 21.05.2022 has been quashed by this court. Accordingly, the said letter dated 10.06.2022 is also hereby quashed.”
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According to a police circular order issued last year, the government of Odisha decided to engage such Graduate Constables, who are otherwise qualified to take up the job of investigation, in investigating cases involving petty offenses, thereby reducing the work burden of the Investigating officers.
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They were tasked with visiting crime scenes, investigating the facts and circumstances of the case, and taking action to recover and apprehend the offenders.
