Patna, Jan. 6: Gram kutcheris (panchayat-level courts) in the state have been empowered to deal with civil disputes. The state police headquarters has issued directives to all the superintendents of police (SPs) to transfer such cases to gram kutcheris.

The panchayat-level courts will not only lodge complaints of civil nature but also solve disputes, including those related to land or immovable assets. The police headquarters has asked the SPs to provide security to sarpanchs (heads of courts at panchayat level) so that they could deliver justice without any fear.

Director-general of police (DGP) Abhayanand issued directives to all the SPs, deputy inspectors-general and inspectors-general yesterday to ensure adequate security was provided to sarpanchs, who have been empowered to look into the complaints of civil nature under the Panchayati Raj Act 2006.

The DGP said the directive had been issued after senior police officers learnt about instances of aggrieved parties threatening sarpanchs.

“There have been instances when sarpanchs were threatened with dire consequences,” he said.

Sources said whenever village heads take strong decisions, the groups hurt by it often try to heckle them. As a result, security had become a must, the sources added.

Abhayanand clarified that the police had a limited role in dealing with such offences (disputes). Moreover, sarpanchs are local residents and they can handle such matters better. The police personnel have been asked to assist sarpanchs in solving disputes.

According to the new directive, gram kutcheris would entertain the complaints of dispute over property, land, atrocities against animals and non-cognisable offences. The complaints related to property dispute worth Rs 10,000 would be entertained by them.

Sarpanchs have been empowered to award simple imprisonment and impose fine up to Rs 1,000 under Section 107 of CrPC.

The verdict of gram kutcheris can be challenged within 30 days before a full bench comprising seven sarpanchs.

Gram kutcheris have also been empowered to take action against people for lodging false complaints or trying to harass someone on one pretext or the other.

There are 8,442 panchayats in Bihar. Out of total 1.5 lakh sarpanchs, 2,710 posts are vacant. Sources said the election for the vacant posts would be held in February.