20-12-2025:Governor virtually addressed the national conference-cum-training workshop on the theme “Police Reforms @20 (Prakash Singh Judgment): Towards a Developed India”.

The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), on Saturday addressed the National Conference on “Police Reforms @20 (Prakash Singh Judgment): Towards a Developed India”, organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC) in New Delhi, as the Chief Guest through virtual mode from Lok Bhawan, Dehradun. The conference was organised on the occasion of completion of 20 years of the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Prakash Singh vs Union of India.

The conference was held in memory of the late Captain (Dr.) Shekhar Dutt, SM, IAS (Retd.), Patron of the Council, who exemplified the highest ideals of administrative integrity, institutional reforms, and dedicated national service throughout his distinguished career.

Addressing the inaugural session, the Governor said that police reforms are not merely an administrative necessity, but form the foundation of democratic governance, public trust, and India’s long-term development. He stated that the conference is not just an academic or administrative exercise, but an opportunity for national introspection. He emphasised that while the police represent the most direct expression of state authority, they are also the institution closest to citizens, and therefore demand the highest standards of restraint, impartiality, and accountability.

Referring to the Prakash Singh judgment, the Governor said that its objective was to protect the police from political interference, ensure stability of tenure, separate investigation from law and order functions, establish independent oversight mechanisms, and provide professional autonomy. He stressed that police reforms must be viewed in the broader context of Developed India @2047. Areas such as women’s safety, technology adoption, tourism, and environmental protection are directly linked to the quality and effectiveness of policing.

The Governor stated that women’s empowerment cannot be achieved merely through legislation, but through sensitive, fair, and effective implementation of laws. He remarked that a developed nation is built not only on infrastructure, but on credible institutions, and the most visible expression of institutional credibility is reflected in policing.

During the conference, homage was paid to the late Captain (Dr.) Shekhar Dutt, remembering him as a visionary, sensitive, and reform-oriented administrator.

The main session of the conference witnessed participation from GCTC Patron and former Union Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu Singh, Ms. Laxmi Singh, Commissioner of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, along with senior police officers, policy experts, academicians, and security analysts from across the country.
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