THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Police Complaints Authority, which has been headless for some time, is all set to shift gears with a new chairman assuming office on Thursday. Justice K Narayana Kurup, former Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, took over as the new chairman of the Police Complaints Authority.
Speaking after assuming office, Justice Kurup said that the primary objective would be to create awareness about such an authority in the northern parts of the states also.
“Most of the complaints have come from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts. Though a directive was issued earlier to display information regarding such an authority in all police stations, it has not been fully complied with. The matter would be taken up with higher police officials,” he said.
Complaints Authority members - former DGP K P Somarajan and retired District Judge P Muraleedharan, also pointed out the same. Of the total 856 complaints which came before the authority so far, as many as 427 have been disposed of and 429 complaints are still pending.
“The authority can look into complaints against officials of the rank of SP and above. Also complaints related to misconduct by officials of any rank can be filed before the authority. Once a complaint is filed, we would ask the respondent for his version. Based on that, further proceedings, including inquiry, would be carried out,” they said adding that poor infrastructure facilities and lack of sufficient number of supporting staff had been posing serious difficulties to its functioning.
Complaints can be furnished before the authority at its office at Vazhuthacaud here. The authority can be contacted over phone number 0471-2336939 or email spcakerala@gmail.com