...... 30 CIVIL LIBERTIES 4.36 This Commission has been deeply concerned with the subject of systemic police reforms. It pronounced its stand in the affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in the matter of Prakash Singh Vs UOI and Others (Civil Writ Petition No.301 of 1996) and its various annual reports. The matter of Prakash Singh Vs UOI is sub judice in the Apex Court. The Commission continued to participate in the proceedings before the Supreme Court in respect of this case. 4.37 The Central Government in response to the Commission’s recommendations, in earlier annual reports such as implementation of some of the important recommendations of NPC for improving the quality of policing in the country, has taken some concrete steps towards modernization of the police. The Commission wishes to reiterate its earlier stand that the steps to modernize the police are welcome, and are in fact necessary, but not sufficient to bring about the necessary systemic reforms in the police force. The key to these reforms is the integrity of the investigation process and its insulation from extraneous influence. 4.38 The Memorandum of Action Taken prepared by the Central Government in response to the annual report for 2000 - 2001 had stated, inter- alia, that all the recommendations made by the Padmanabhaiah Committee had been accepted and the State Governments had been requested to implement such recommendations as relate to them. The progress made in this regard needs to be reviewed / monitored at the highest level. 4.39 The Commission has been receiving complaints, inter alia, of police wrong doings and their complicity in the violation of human rights and failure to provide justice to those who have been wronged. The Commission had referred in its earlier reports to the large-scale violation of human rights in Gujarat starting with the tragedy in Godhra on 27.2.2002. The National Human Rights Commission once again urges both the Central and State Governments to act with determination to implement the various police reforms recommended by it in its various proceedings and earlier reports. 4.40 The Commission earnestly feels that it is critically important not to let our criminal justice system slide down in public trust. The police reforms outlined by the Commission in its earlier reports and in its submission pending before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Prakash Singh Vs UOI and Others be acted upon without further delay. 4.41 The Govt. has set up sometime back a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice V.S. Malimath to consider and recommend measures for revamping the Criminal Justice System. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has sent a copy of the report to the Commission eliciting its views on these recommendations. The Commission is seized of the matter and its views will be sent to the Government shortly. E] Functioning of Human Rights Cells in state Police Head Quarters 4.42 The question of promoting appropriate in-house machinery in the office of the Director General of Police in the states for ensuring better protection of Human Rights NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION