The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging custodial assault and other rights violations by Punjab Police during a Lok Milni protest. The NHRC orders an immediate inquiry, medico-legal checks, and preservation of CCTV footage and related records, with a two-week reporting timeline.
India
-Oneindia Staff
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging custodial assault, torture and other serious human rights violations by Punjab Police personnel against a man and members of his family.
The complaint was filed by Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, who alleged that the victim was subjected to assault and torture after being taken into police custody during a protest against drug abuse in Punjab. According to the complaint, the victim was protesting against the issue of drug abuse in the state during Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s “Lok Milni” programme at Village Sheron in Sunam. He allegedly displayed a black flag as a mark of protest, following which he was taken into police custody. The complaint further alleged that the victim and members of his family were subjected to serious human rights violations by Punjab Police personnel.
The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging custodial assault and other rights violations by Punjab Police during a Lok Milni protest. The NHRC orders an immediate inquiry, medico-legal checks, and preservation of CCTV footage and related records, with a two-week reporting timeline.
The matter was considered by an NHRC Bench presided over by Commission Member Priyank Kanoongo. The Bench has directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab, DGP Punjab, SP Sangrur and District Magistrate, Sangrur, to conduct an immediate inquiry into the allegations and submit a point-wise Action Taken Report within two weeks.
The Commission has also directed the authorities to ensure an immediate medico-legal examination of the victim. It has ordered the preservation of complete and unedited CCTV footage from the concerned police premises and sought an authenticated copy of the footage in a pen drive.
The authorities have further been directed to furnish the FIR and custody records, along with details of all police personnel associated with the victim’s detention and interrogation. A report has also been sought on the allegations concerning the victim’s family members.
The NHRC has additionally directed that all relevant evidence connected with the incident be immediately secured and preserved. This includes medical records, CCTV footage, police documents, electronic data and any other material evidence that may assist in the inquiry.
The Commission’s directions come amid allegations of custodial assault and human rights violations, with the Punjab authorities now required to conduct an inquiry and submit the report within the stipulated two-week period.
