Inter-state Police Cooperation: Challenges, Policy Framework, and the Way Forward

By Aditi Dehal & Mrigank Patel

October 4, 2022
Download article

ABSTRACT

Interstate police arrest procedures of police are increasingly being discussed in public discourse. Recently, a news anchor made headlines in light of a tussle between the Chhattisgarh police and Uttar Pradesh police for his arrest. In May this year, the Delhi police and Punjab police faced similar public scrutiny over the arrest of a politician. In this context, exploring instances of non-cooperation between police authorities and inter-state arrests becomes relevant. The rules and regulations on arrest and the jurisdiction of police authorities need to be analysed for a clearer understanding, and further policy decisions. 

While provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1973 are pivotal, other policies and guidelines also hold relevance. Through analysing the judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts, this issue brief sheds light on the political motivations that impact the independence of police machinery and catalyse instances of non-cooperation. Lastly, the brief will recommend changes in the policy framework that can reduce instances of police non-cooperation, way forward to interstate police cooperation, protect the rights of the accused, and facilitate the maintenance of law and order. 

KEYWORDS: Code Of Criminal Procedure, Police Cooperation, Inter-state Arrest, Geographical Jurisdiction, Political Influence 

 

INTRODUCTION 

July witnessed a tussle between the Chhattisgarh police and Uttar Pradesh police over the arrest of Zee News anchor Rohit Ranjan who allegedly made misleading statements in the news about a politician from the Indian National Congress. Similarly, in 2021, the arrest of climate activist Disha Ravi by the cyber-crime unit of the Delhi Police sparked controversy since they detained Ravi without informing the local Bengaluru police. Such instances of non-cooperation between police authorities are not solitary but part of a trend. Such occurrences are primarily seen when police authorities arrested the accused from a state outside its jurisdiction without following due process, resulting in non-cooperation with other police authorities.


Default Author Image

Aditi Dehal

Default Author Image

Mrigank Patel

Found this post insightful? Share it with your network and help spread the knowledge.

Suggested Reads

State of Mind: The ‘Lunatic’ in Prisons 

By Avdhoot Bharti

The prevalence of mental illness in prison settings is significantly higher than in the general population—approximately 3-6 times higher, as available evidence indicates (Andersen, 2004; Fazel & Danesh, 2002; Lamb & Weinberger, 1998; Taylor, 2010; Wilper et al., 2009). Substance use disorders (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, opioid, cocaine, benzodiazepines and other drugs) are the most frequently […]

The Use of Psychological Risk Assessment Tools in Sentencing

By Tanvi Saxena

Introduction In criminal justice systems around the world, the question of “How dangerous is this person?” often shapes the outcome of sentencing and parole decisions. While several countries have turned to structured psychological tools such as the Historical-Clinical-Risk-20 (HCR-20) and Static-99 to bring transparency and consistency to these high-stakes judgments, India continues to rely almost […]

Up in the Air! Policy Overview of the Indian Drone Industry

By Yugank Mishra

Introduction Perhaps nothing exemplifies the delicate balances that are crucial for successful growth of any industrial sector than the Indian drone industry, today. Caught between the disruptions and innovations of the fourth industrial revolution, risk and possibilities of an emerging nation in an increasingly globalizing world, policy regulation and liberalization, and, economic growth and inclusion—the […]

Did the PLI Reap what it Sowed? An Intermediate Case Study of the Textile Sector

By Yugank Mishra

Introduction As India grapples with leveraging its manufacturing prowess to fuel its growth story with challenges emerging on the fronts of international trade, a closing demographic window, concerns of premature deindustrialization, etc., an analysis of what has been called as her de facto Industrial Policy—Production Linked Incentives, announced in 2020—becomes imperative (Dhar, 2024). Launched to […]