New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Railway Protection Force is not empowered to register cases under the provisions of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
Responding to a question regarding the overlapping of functions of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP), Vaishnaw said the RPF is empowered to register cases under the provisions of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966 and the Railways Act, 1989.
These acts relate to prevention of theft, unlawful possession and disposal of railway property.
“Police and public order are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and, as such, state governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and maintaining law and order etc. on railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. GRP/district police,” Vaishnaw said.
He further stated that 50 per cent of salary charges of GRP is borne by Railways.
Clarifying that the role and responsibilities of GRP, district police and RPF are clearly defined, he said all cases of crime under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) are registered and investigated by GRP or district police as per their jurisdiction demarcated by respective state or Union territories.
According to Vaishnaw, RPF supplements the efforts of GRP/district police to provide better protection and security of passengers and passenger areas.
“Accordingly, cases covered under BNS are reported to GRP or district police for taking further legal action,” he said.
“RPF is not empowered to register cases under the provision of BNS. However, RPF is empowered to register cases under the provision of Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966 and Railways Act, 1989,” he added. PTI JP PRK
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