Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit finds herself in a piquant situation when people demand explanation about the issue of safety and security of women in the national Capital.
In public opinion, it is the Chief Minister who is responsible for the governance and the maintenance of law and order in the city. Congress being the ruling party at the Centre with United Progressive Alliance (UPA), it is constantly criticised by BJP, the party in Opposition for dismal law and order situation in the city.
It would be relevant to mention here that Delhi Government does not have any control over Delhi Police as the police department reports directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Way back in 1978, Delhi Police was brought under the control of the MHA by Chaudhary Charan Singh, the Home Minister at that time who piloted the Delhi Police Act-1978 Bill in the Parliament.
The Commissionerate system of policing was introduced in the national capital and the judicial powers of the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) too were transferred to Delhi Police.
Interestingly, the law and order in the State is a subject under the 8th schedule of the Constitution but Delhi not being a full-fledged State yet, still remains a Union Territory with ‘land and law and Order’ entrusted with the lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
According to some senior Delhi Police officers, Delhi Police should always remain under the jurisdiction of MHA as it saves them from being subjected to undue political interference. “With 7 lok Sabha Members of Parliament (MPs), 7 Rajya Sabha MPs, 70 MlAs and 272 Municipal Councillors from Delhi, it is better to be under the MHA and the lieutenant Governor in order to be able to efficiently perform multifarious tasks,” a senior Delhi Police officer said on condition of anonymity. “The Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi can get Delhi Police under their control only when Delhi becomes a full-fledged State. This seems a tall order as the Centre is not likely to agree over the issue,” the official added.
Given the circumstances, the new Chief Minister of Delhi will have to contend with the burning issue of women’s safety as case of violence against the weaker sections are on the higher side.