In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has criticized the archaic Punjab Police Rules, which have failed to keep pace with the modern era. The court highlighted the need for updating the 1934 Rules, pointing out the glaring incongruities caused by the passage of time.

Notably, the Rules still refer to the head of the state's police machinery as the Inspector-General, whereas the current practice demands the use of the title Director General of Police. This discrepancy reflects the outdated nature of the Rules, which were originally enacted during colonial rule.

The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, emphasized that the Inspector-General of Police now holds an administratively subordinate position to the Director General of Police and the Additional Director General of Police. Moreover, the Rules were framed before the establishment of Ranges and Commissionerates, further exacerbating their irrelevance.

Expressing its dismay, the Court questioned why the concerned authorities have failed to update or amend the Rules to reflect the correct official designations, thus avoiding confusion.

Consequently, the Supreme Court has directed the governments of Punjab and Haryana to take immediate steps to amend the outdated Punjab Police Rules. The judgment will be communicated to the Chief Secretaries, Home Secretaries, and DGPs of the two states for necessary action.

This development comes in the wake of a case involving the dismissal of a constable, where the Supreme Court upheld a 2011 Punjab & Haryana High Court order. The constable had previously failed to remove adverse remarks from his annual confidential reports, leading to a series of legal proceedings.

The Supreme Court highlighted that only a superior authority could have reviewed the initial order against the appellant, emphasizing that the power of review vested in the Inspector General was wholly arbitrary. The Court further stated that adverse entries regarding a person's integrity and conduct in the police force should be adjudged by the appropriate superior authority.

The Court's decision has been welcomed by advocates and experts, who have long been advocating for an overhaul of the outdated Punjab Police Rules. The demand for modernization and alignment with contemporary practices in policing has been echoed by numerous stakeholders, who believe that the reform is long overdue.

With the Supreme Court's intervention, hopes are high that the governments of Punjab and Haryana will expedite the necessary amendments to ensure a more efficient and effective police force. The revamp of the Punjab Police Rules is seen as a crucial step in bringing the police machinery in line with the demands of the 21st century and enhancing public safety and security.