21% Posts In Police Department Vacant: Gujarat Govt Informs High Court

The Gujarat government has informed the High Court that 21.3 percent of total posts in the Police Department are vacant and it is taking appropriate steps to fill up the same.

The division bench of the Acting Chief Justice A. J. Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav was hearing a Suo Motu PIL which was initiated as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court vide order dated March 11, 2019 in Manish Kumar v. Union of India and Ors. Writ Petition (C) No. 183 of 2013 directing States to look into certain aspects in connection with the Police Department throughout the country.

The High Court vide order dated February 9, 2023 directed the State to file affidavits with regard to the directions issued by the Supreme Court in Manish Kumar (supra) including the following:

1. disclosing the vacancy position in Police Department in the State.
2. details pertaining to constitute Police Commission to deal with allegation of police action, redressal of grievances of police and to make recommendations for the welfare of police force.
3. details pertaining to formulation of guidelines for prevention and control of violent mass agitations and destruction of life & property, in terms of the guidelines suggested by the Supreme Court in, In Re: Destruction of Public and Private Properties v. State of A.P. and Ors. 2009 (5) SCC 212.

The State Government informed the High Court that is has already issued guidelines to suggest the measures to prevent the damage to public and private property.

The Court directed the State Authorities to circulate the guidelines so that the public at large would be put to notice about the same.

The matter is listed again on August 21 for further consideration.

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Gujarat

Coram: The Acting Chief Justice A. J. Desai and Justice Biren Vaishnav

Click Here to Read/Download Order