Centre may ask for a review of SC order disarming SPOs for anti-Maoist operations

NEW DELHI: The Centre may ask for a review of the Supreme Court order disbanding and disarming Special Police Officers engaged by the Chhattisgarh government for anti-Maoist operations.

Home Minister P Chidambaram, in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, said on Wednesday that his ministry was weighing the option of going back to the Supreme Court for clarification or review of its directions. “We will take a decision in the next few days,” he said.

Home Ministry sources said the Chattisgarh government may approach the Supreme Court soon seeking a review of certain parts of the judgement.

The Centre may also file a special leave petition bringing fresh facts to the apex court’s notice and recounting the practical difficulties in implementing the court’s directions as regards SPOs engaged in fighting terror/insurgency in J&K and north-eastern states.

Chidambaram agreed with the observation of BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad that the apex court order had long-term implications and said he had advised the Chhattisgarh government to approach the matter with caution and care.

The Home Minister said the elaborate judgment of the apex court has directions on how SPOs could be engaged and where they should not be engaged. He added that certain directions have also been given to the Central government.

“We are examining the order in consultation with the ministry of law and state governments,” he said. Chidambaram said that the Chhattisgarh government has promulgated an ordinance to train and regularise some sections of SPOs.