Archive · 8 Jun 2025
Uttarakhand Revenue Police Reform Delayed, Court Receives Contempt Plea
Imagine a place where the police aren't regular police officers but are part of the local government.
In Uttarakhand, some areas use this system called revenue police.
The court said these should be replaced by regular police to solve crimes better.
After a case where the revenue police took too long to help, the court ordered the government to switch them.
Now, a petition says the government is taking too long to make the change, even after being given extra time.
This means the court might take action because the government isn't following the rules.
A civil contempt petition has been filed in Uttarakhand High Court regarding the delayed replacement of revenue police with regular police.
The High Court had ordered the state government in May 2024 to replace revenue police within one year.
The petition alleges the state has failed to comply with the court's order.
The revenue police system, where civil officials have police powers, is over a century old in parts of Uttarakhand.
The Ankita Bhandari murder case in 2022 highlighted issues with the revenue police system, leading to calls for reform.
- Who
- The petition was filed by Amit Kholiya and targets the Home Secretary, DGP, and IGs of Kumaon and Garhwal divisions.
- What
- A civil contempt petition has been filed regarding the delayed replacement of Uttarakhand's revenue police with regular police.
- When
- The petition was filed after the state government failed to replace the revenue police within a year, as ordered by the High Court in May 2024.
- Where
- The case is in the Uttarakhand High Court.
- Why
- The petitioners are seeking compliance with the court order to replace revenue police due to past delays and issues, such as the handling of the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
Arguments for Replacing Revenue Police
N/A
Need for Regular Police
Arguments for Replacing Revenue Police
Advocates, including the High Court, argue that regular police are needed for efficient and timely law enforcement.
N/A
N/A
- Petition Filed By
- Amit Kholiya
- Represented By
- Advocate Dushyant Mainali
- Court Order Addressed
- Replacement of revenue police with regular police in rural Uttarakhand
- Year of Initial PIL
- 2018
- Latest Court Deadline
- One year from May 21, 2024
- Defendants
- Home Secretary, DGP, and IGs of Kumaon and Garhwal divisions
- Key Incident
- Delay in Ankita Bhandari murder case FIR