Section 7 - Additional Commissioner of Police
Section 7 of the Delhi Police Act, 1978 governs the appointment of Additional Commissioners of Police and the extent to which they may assist the Commissioner of Police or exercise the Commissioner's statutory powers and duties.
Section 7 - Statutory text
(1) The Administrator may appoint one or more Additional Commissioners of Police for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Additional Commissioner of Police shall-
(a) assist the Commissioner of Police in the exercise of his powers and the performance of his duties in such manner and to such extent, and
(b) exercise such powers and perform such duties of the Commissioner of Police and within such local limits,
as the Administrator may, by general or special order, specify.
Source: Delhi Police Act, 1978 - official India Code PDF.
Meaning and scope of Section 7
Appointment by the Administrator - subsection (1)
The Administrator is empowered to appoint one or more Additional Commissioners of Police. Under Section 2(a), the term "Administrator" refers to the Administrator of Delhi appointed under Article 239 of the Constitution. The wording "may appoint" confers an enabling power rather than prescribing a fixed number of posts.
Assistance to the Commissioner - subsection (2)(a)
An Additional Commissioner assists the Commissioner of Police in the exercise of statutory powers and discharge of duties. The manner and extent of this assistance are determined through the Administrator's general or special order.
Exercise of powers and territorial limits - subsection (2)(b)
An Additional Commissioner may exercise specified powers and perform specified duties of the Commissioner of Police, but only to the extent and within the local limits identified by the Administrator's order. Appointment alone should not be treated as an unrestricted transfer of every power of the Commissioner.
Relationship with other provisions
Section 6 provides for appointment of the Commissioner of Police to direct and supervise the police force. Section 7 enables additional senior officers to support that office. Section 8 separately addresses Deputy, Additional Deputy and Assistant Commissioners of Police, with different statutory conditions. Section 4 concerns the Administrator's overall superintendence of Delhi Police.
Section 12(a) also refers to appointment of Inspectors of Police by the Additional Commissioner of Police, subject to the general or special written orders of the Administrator. Section 146(2) separately addresses authorisation of certain powers under other Acts. Each power must be assessed against its own statutory requirements and applicable orders.
Common questions
Who appoints an Additional Commissioner of Police in Delhi?
Under Section 7(1), the Administrator may appoint one or more Additional Commissioners of Police.
Can an Additional Commissioner exercise every power of the Commissioner?
Not automatically. Section 7(2) makes the exercise of the Commissioner's powers and duties subject to the Administrator's general or special order, including any territorial limits.
Is an Additional Commissioner the same as a Deputy Commissioner?
No. Additional Commissioners are provided for under Section 7, while Deputy Commissioners and certain other ranks are addressed under Section 8.
Official legal resources
For the authoritative Act and any subsequent amendments or orders, consult India Code - Delhi Police Act, 1978 and the Delhi Police Acts and Rules portal.
Legal note: This article explains the statutory framework. The application of any particular power depends on the current law, applicable government orders and the facts of the matter.