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The Supreme Court in Arneshkumar v/s State of Bihar and another, observed that there is rampant misuse of the provisions of Sec. 498-A of IPC and Sec 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act. In order to bring the situation under control the Supreme Court has passed the following guidelines.
The Supreme Court, through this judgement ensures that –
i. The Police officers do not arrest accused unnecessarily and
ii. The Magistrate do not authorise detention casually and mechanically.
The State Governments are directed by this Judgement:
1. To instruct the Police officers not to automatically arrest when the case is registered under section 498-A of the IPC and Dowry Prohibition Act, until it satisfies the necessity for arrest under the parameters laid down in section 41 of CrPC.
2. The Police Officers to be provided with the check list containing specified sub-clauses under section 41(1)(b)(ii) of CrPC. The said check list shall be duly filled and the police officer shall furnish the reasons and materials which necessitated the arrest, while producing the accused before magistrate for further detention.
3. The Magistrate on inspecting the report furnished by the Police officer, only after recording its satisfaction, shall authorise the detention of the accused.
4. The decision not to arrest an accused is to be forwarded to the Magistrate within 2 weeks from the date of institution of case with a copy to Superintendent of Police which may be extended by the superintendent of Police for reasons to be recorded in writing.
5. Notice of appearance in terms of section 41 CrPC shall be served to accused within 2 weeks of institution of the case, which may be extended by the Superintendent of Police of District for the reasons to be recorded in writing.
6. Failure to comply with the directions given above, the police officer concerned shall be liable for departmental action and punished and , the contempt of court is to be instituted against them before the High Court having territorial jurisdiction.
7. Authorising detention without recording reasons as above said, by the Judicial Magistrate concerned, shall make the Magistrate liable for departmental action by the appropriate High Court.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court also clarifies that the directions aforesaid shall not only apply to the cases under sec. 498-A of the IPC or sec. 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, but also to such cases where offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may be less than seven years or which may extend to seven years; whether with or without fine.
Authored by:
Shrinivasreddy Mudagannavar
Intern
Mento Associates

Bangalore City police has issued a set of guidelines for all schools to follow in the wake of the Vibgyor High School incident. The police commissioner has set August 31 2014 as deadline to comply with the norms. The following are the guidelines:

1) The school buses operated by private players for managements should appoint a male and a female staff to accompany students until they are dropped at their doorsteps. The bus should not ferry more than the number prescribed by the transport department. Every bus should have a global positioning system (GPS) facility, which should be functional always. The managements should verify driving licences of drivers and get more information about antecedents of drivers from jurisdictional police. Every bus should have a CCTV cameras facility, which should be functional always.

2) The managements should enter into written agreements with vehicle owners that the owners would be solely responsible for violation of norms by their drivers. The vehicles should have valid documents and validity cards.

3) The managements should issue strict instructions to drivers to stay in their vehicles and buses. They should be warned not to move on the school premises and try to drag children into conversation unnecessarily. They should be warned not to affect peace and honour of the children.

4) Teachers concerned and super visors alone should be present at grounds, swimming pool, laboratories, library, dancing hall and gym. Other staff should be instructed not to unnecessarily enter those places where they have no work.

5) The managements should appoint a floor vigilance officer (FVO) for every floor including ground floor and top floor. lf possible, woman teacher or senior woman staff should be appointed as FVO. A transparent glass cabin should be set up for them so that they could monitor activities taking place in all directions. The FVO should monitor movement of suspicious persons and take action against them.

6) The managements should prepare a report on the number of locations for installation of CCTV cameras and ensure they are always functional. The footage should be kept for 60 days. Staff should be appointed for monitoring and the local police should be immediately alerted about special and rare incidents. The footage should be handed over to police if need be.

7) Identity cards with photos of students should be given to their parents. The parents should give a specific cellphone number for contacting during emergencies. The teacher should respond to calls or messages originating from such numbers. The management should inform about this to the parents and issue necessary instructions.

8) Identity cards should be given to staff, office-bearers of management, security guards, attenders after verifying their antecedents from the police. Everyone should be directed to display their ID cards while in school.

9) Required number of staff including women security personnel should be appointed for access control room, gates, and night shift besides three security supervisors and one chief supervisor to work between 8 am and 2 pm and between 2pm and 8pm and night patrolling. Security staff should submit a report to their heads once in two hours about latest safety status.