New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, besides senior officials in Sangrur, over allegations of custodial assault, torture and other serious human rights violations against a man and members of his family by Punjab Police personnel.
A Bench presided over by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of a complaint filed by Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, alleging that Mohanjeet Singh was taken into police custody after he allegedly displayed a black flag during a “Lok Milni” programme at Village Sheron in Sunam on September 2.
According to the complaint, Mohanjeet Singh was allegedly subjected to severe physical assault and torture in custody, including beatings, injuries and electric shocks.
The complaint further alleged that police personnel forcibly opened his joora and pulled his hair and beard, while his mother and sister were also allegedly mistreated by the police. It was also alleged that during the purported custodial assault, a video call was made through which Singh was shown in an injured and undressed condition.
The complainant sought the NHRC’s intervention, investigation into the allegations, action against the police personnel found responsible, and appropriate protection and medical assistance for the victim and his family.
Observing that the allegations disclose prima facie violations of the victim’s right to life, dignity, bodily integrity and protection against custodial violence, the NHRC took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The apex human rights body has directed the Punjab Chief Secretary, DGP, Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, and District Magistrate, Sangrur, to conduct an immediate inquiry and furnish a specific, point-wise Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks of receiving the notice.
The NHRC has sought complete details of the circumstances leading to the victim’s custody, including the place, time, duration and legal basis of detention, along with relevant police records, arrest or detention documents and General Diary entries.
It has also directed that the victim undergo an immediate medico-legal examination, if not already conducted, by a competent government medical authority or medical board, with the complete medical and injury records furnished to the Commission.
The NHRC has further ordered authorities to immediately secure and preserve complete and unedited CCTV footage from the concerned police station and other relevant locations for the entire period of the alleged detention and interrogation. It has also sought preservation of electronic evidence relating to the alleged video call and directed that an authenticated copy of relevant CCTV footage be submitted in electronic form.
The authorities have been asked to provide details of any FIRs registered in connection with the alleged custodial assault and mistreatment of the family members, the provisions invoked and the status of the investigation. If no FIR has been registered, reasons for non-registration have to be stated.
The NHRC has also sought the names, ranks, designations and present postings of all police personnel who were present during, participated in, supervised or were otherwise connected with the alleged detention or interrogation. It directed that the allegations concerning the victim’s mother and sister be specifically investigated and the findings included in the report.
The District Magistrate, Sangrur, has been asked to independently verify the allegations, including the victim’s medical condition and preservation of relevant evidence, while the Superintendent of Police concerned has been directed to submit a factual report through the DGP.
The Chief Secretary and DGP have further been directed to ensure that medical records, CCTV footage, station records, electronic data and other material evidence connected with the incident are secured and preserved and not altered, overwritten, destroyed or otherwise rendered unavailable.
–IANS
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