🛡️ Introduction
Our soldiers are the backbone of national security, and protecting them from potential threats is essential to honor their service. The Chandigarh Police, under the directive of the Director General of Police, UT, has issued a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP 1701-Z) to guide its officers in dealing with Army personnel involved in police proceedings. The SOP ensures that such interactions are lawful, professional, respectful, impartial, and transparent, whether the personnel are complainants, accused, witnesses, or mediators.
This is a crucial step towards ensuring civil-military harmony and legal clarity in handling matters involving members of the armed forces.
🎯 Purpose of the SOP
The SOP seeks to:
- Standardize procedures in dealing with Army personnel.
- Maintain respect and dignity for defense service members.
- Ensure prompt grievance redressal and legal assistance.
- Avoid unlawful detention or harassment.
- Uphold civil-military coordination.
📌 Key Provisions of the SOP
1. Arrest and Legal Action
- Army personnel cannot be arrested without prior approval from the Central Government unless they are involved in serious offenses like murder, rape, or kidnapping unrelated to their official duties.
- For such arrests, police must notify the nearest military station HQ, including details of the offense, arrest date, and detention location.
2. General Guidelines
- All interactions must respect the rank and position of Army personnel.
- Police must act lawfully, transparently, and without bias.
- Officers must avoid escalating tensions and ensure dignified treatment of military personnel.
3. Dealing with Army Personnel in Different Roles
a) When Army Personnel are Complainants
- Prompt attention and priority to complaints.
- Confidential handling of information.
- Coordination with Army authorities where necessary.
- FIR or complaint copies to be shared with the complainant and Army liaison officer if requested.
b) When Army Personnel are Accused
- Section 42 of BNSS must be followed, which provides protection against arrest for armed forces members.
- Arrests must not interfere with active duty.
- Female personnel must be handled per Section 43(5) BNSS.
- Proper documentation and respect during investigations or custody.
c) When Army Personnel are Witnesses/Mediators
- Prefer written statements or remote methods (video/phone).
- Avoid unnecessary summoning.
- Respect military schedules.
4. Communication & Coordination
- A DSP-rank officer shall act as the nodal officer for Army-related matters.
- A dedicated liaison desk/branch will handle all cases involving military personnel.
- Immediate intimation to senior Army officers in sensitive cases.
5. Special Investigation Team (SIT) Formation
- In high-profile or sensitive cases, an SIT may be constituted to ensure transparency and avoid bias.
6. Discipline & Accountability
- Any complaint of misconduct by police officers in dealing with Army personnel will be:
- Investigated with urgency.
- Addressed impartially.
- Punished with strict disciplinary action if found guilty.
7. Training & Awareness
- Annual training sessions on:
- Civil-military cooperation.
- Relevant laws and respect protocols.
- Joint workshops with Army units to foster mutual understanding.
- Awareness drives on behavioral conduct and legal procedures.
8. Special Instructions
Police officers must:
- Strictly follow Section 42 BNSS.
- Keep senior officers (SP/SSP) updated on real-time developments in such cases.
- Handle Army property (weapons, vehicles, etc.) with care and report to the Army authorities.
- Avoid media disclosures without official approval.
9. Military Coordination Branch
A new Military Coordination Branch is proposed to:
- Be headed by at least a DSP-rank officer.
- Maintain a record of all Army-police interactions.
- Ensure smooth coordination during joint operations or investigations.

✅ Conclusion
The issuance of SOP 1701-Z by Chandigarh Police is a proactive and thoughtful initiative aimed at balancing legal obligations with institutional respect for the Indian Armed Forces. By defining clear roles, responsibilities, and limitations, the SOP enhances the working relationship between civil police and military units and ensures transparent, fair, and disciplined enforcement.
This framework will not only minimize conflict and confusion in such matters but also reinforce mutual trust and coordination, which is essential for national security and civilian harmony.
📌 All officers of Chandigarh Police have been directed to ensure meticulous compliance with the SOP.
- ITR e-Filing FY 2024-25: Income Taxpayers, Beware! These 7 Mistakes Can Cost You BigThe Income Tax Return (ITR) filing season for FY 2024-25 (AY… Read more: ITR e-Filing FY 2024-25: Income Taxpayers, Beware! These 7 Mistakes Can Cost You Big
- Government Job Opportunities for Ex-Servicemen with Graduation-Level QualificationIntroduction Ex-Servicemen (ESM) with a graduate degree in any stream have… Read more: Government Job Opportunities for Ex-Servicemen with Graduation-Level Qualification
- How to Lodge Grievance on Your Pension Related Problems in PG PortalHere’s a step-by-step How-to Guide for filing a pension-related grievance on… Read more: How to Lodge Grievance on Your Pension Related Problems in PG Portal
- Why Govt Should Start Additional Pension from 65 Years Instead of 80 – A Critical Look at the Parliamentary RecommendationIntroduction: The Pension Dilemma in India India’s senior citizen population is… Read more: Why Govt Should Start Additional Pension from 65 Years Instead of 80 – A Critical Look at the Parliamentary Recommendation
- Beyond the Gun: Why Military Veterans Are Corporate India’s Untapped Talent GoldmineIntroduction: Breaking the Stereotype Ask someone to picture a soldier, and… Read more: Beyond the Gun: Why Military Veterans Are Corporate India’s Untapped Talent Goldmine
- Is Commutation of Pension Beneficial or Not? – A Detailed Analysis for Government EmployeesCommutation of pension has long been a debated topic among central… Read more: Is Commutation of Pension Beneficial or Not? – A Detailed Analysis for Government Employees
- Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2025 (Batch 2027)Join Indian Coast Guard (Ministry of Defence) invites online applications for… Read more: Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant Recruitment 2025 (Batch 2027)
- Cyber Fraud Alert for Pension Holders: New Scam Targeting Jeevan Pramaan Patra UpdatesImportant Information Issued by Cyber Crime Cell In an alarming development,… Read more: Cyber Fraud Alert for Pension Holders: New Scam Targeting Jeevan Pramaan Patra Updates
- Project NAMAN: A Comprehensive Welfare Initiative for Veterans and Serving PersonnelProject NAMAN is a flagship welfare program designed to provide comprehensive… Read more: Project NAMAN: A Comprehensive Welfare Initiative for Veterans and Serving Personnel
- Re-engagement of Ex-Servicemen and Retired RPF Personnel in Indian Railways: A Strategic Response to Border Security NeedsIn a significant step aimed at strengthening Railway Security, especially in… Read more: Re-engagement of Ex-Servicemen and Retired RPF Personnel in Indian Railways: A Strategic Response to Border Security Needs
- Pay Fixation of Ex-Servicemen Re-employed in Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions (Post-1.1.2006 Guidelines)Pay Fixation in Banks for Exservicemen The re-employment of ex-servicemen in… Read more: Pay Fixation of Ex-Servicemen Re-employed in Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions (Post-1.1.2006 Guidelines)
- Re-employment Opportunities for Ex-Servicemen: Age Relaxation and Reservation under CCS RulesEx-servicemen (ESM) retire relatively early—well before the standard retirement age in… Read more: Re-employment Opportunities for Ex-Servicemen: Age Relaxation and Reservation under CCS Rules
- ECHS Advisory: Strict Directive to Empanelled Hospitals for Providing Cashless Treatment to All BeneficiariesECHS Facility is totally cashless and the members are entitled to… Read more: ECHS Advisory: Strict Directive to Empanelled Hospitals for Providing Cashless Treatment to All Beneficiaries
- Latest List of ECHS Empaneled Hospitals Under RC ECHS Kolkata (As on 2024-2026)Here’s detailed infor on empanelled hospital / medical facility hubs list… Read more: Latest List of ECHS Empaneled Hospitals Under RC ECHS Kolkata (As on 2024-2026)
- Some Attractive Post Office Savings Bank Schemes with High Interest from July 2025The India Post Office Savings Bank offers a variety of safe,… Read more: Some Attractive Post Office Savings Bank Schemes with High Interest from July 2025