Greeva Garg –
Retired Madras High Court Judge Justice V Kanagaraj has been appointed as the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) of the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The State Government constituted the authority following the verdicts of the Supreme Court. Justice Kanagaraj will continue in the position for three years from the date of assuming charge.
Three members will assist the Chairman and will be appointed soon by the State Government.
Earlier, The YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Government appointed Justice Kanagaraj as the State Election Commissioner (SEC) in April 2020.
This appointment was struck down by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in May, 2020.
The Police Complaints Authority was set up in accordance with the judgement of the Supreme Court in a writ petition on September 22, 2006.
The Government relaxed Rule 4(a) of the AP State/District Level Police Complaints Authority (Administration and Procedure) Rules, 2020 to accommodate Justice Kanagaraj for this position in the authority.
As per the rule, only those below 65 years of age were eligible for the appointment of the post. The Government relaxed the rule and made Justice Kanagaraj the Chairman of the authority.
The State Police Complaints Authority is meant for redressal of public complaints made against the erring police officers of the rank ASP and above on allegations of serious misconduct in police custody.
