The existing system in India is founded on one of the recommendations of the Railway Police Committee of 1921 which, in common with the Indian Police Commission of 1902-03 favored what they called the “provincial” system.

After Independence of the country, the Indian Constitution endorsed this system by which a Police force, which forms part of the State’s Police, exists for the entire Railways network within the limits of a State.

The GRP takes cognizance of all crimes which occur on the railway between the two distant signals and also of crimes which occur in the running trains. Crimes occurring on the railway line beyond the two distant signals is the responsibility of the District Police.

In some other States the jurisdiction of the GRP extends to the entire limits of the railway premises which would include the Railway Station and the Railway Track up to the limits of the fencing on its both sides, The District Magistrate, however, retains full jurisdiction over the entire railway system falling within his District and irrespective of whether a crime is investigated by the District Police or the GRP, magisterial cognizance is taken in the court of the District in which the scene of crime falls. The entire area falling within the jurisdiction of the GRP is divided into Police Circles each under a Police Station, same as in the case of District Police. The smallest unit of Police administration here also is the Police Station.

Police Stations are mostly located at important Railway Stations and those of them which have a wide jurisdiction may have under them one or more Police Outposts. Like the District Police, the Railway Police Station is also under the charge of an Inspector or Senior Sub-Inspector called the Station House Officer. He would be assisted by one or more Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspectors depending on the volume of work and importance of the Police Station.