​History

One of the directions in the judgment dated 22.09.2006 of the Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) 310 of 1996 on police reforms is about constituting District Police Complaints Authority at the district level and State Police Complaints Authority at the State level. It, inter alia, contained provisions regarding their composition, functions and jurisdiction. The Central Government, State Governments and Union Territories were required to frame appropriate legislations on the matters covered in the judgment and in the meantime the directions were to be complied with. The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2012 published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the Ninth day of August, 2012 and deemed to have come into force with effect from the 2nd day of June, 2012 provided for Sections 20C, 20D and 20E of the amended Karnataka Police Act, 1963 dealing with the Police Complaints Authorities.​