HC rejects PIL for increase in police station strength in TN

The Madras High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to increase the strength in police stations, considering the population in the state.
"Neither is it advisable nor is this court inclined to decide such a general issue for which we have no wherewithal," the first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan, said.
"It is impossible for this court to determine what would be the adequate force to maintain law and order and prevent crimes, an aspect completely within the domain of an elected government which is entrusted with this responsibility by the electorate of the state, which includes the petitioner," it said.

Petitioner K K Ramesh, Managing Trustee, Tamil Nadu Centre for Public Interest Litigation, submitted that considering the increased population in Tamil Nadu, an increase in strength of police and police stations was indispensible to effectively control criminals, hired rowdies and anti-social elements.
He further alleged that there has been a large level of breakdown of law and order, chain snatchings, murders and other offences in the last six months.
Maintaining that police strength has not been increased as per the ratio of increase in population, Ramesh said this was one of the reasons for the increasing crime rate in the state.

He submitted that there was a need for specially trained police personnels in each district under the control of the Superintendent of Police and Commissioner of Police.
While submitting data on population and police stations stations in each district, he said that he sent a representation to the government on November 20, this year, on which there was no response and hence the petition.