Police Brutality | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:43:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Police Brutality | SabrangIndia 32 32 Voting manipulation and police brutality plague 8 out of 15 by-poll seats; Muslim voters denied their right to vote in UP https://sabrangindia.in/voting-manipulation-and-police-brutality-plague-8-out-of-15-by-poll-seats-muslim-voters-denied-their-right-to-vote-in-up/ Thu, 21 Nov 2024 04:11:45 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=38883 Voter suppression and manipulation marred 8 out of 15 by-poll seats, with 7 in Uttar Pradesh witnessing blatant violations of fair voting practices and denial of votes to Muslim voters. In Punjab's Dera Baba Nanak, violent clashes erupted between AAP and Congress workers. In UP, police were seen to have brutally attacked voters demanding their right to vote. The ECI, initially a silent spectator, was eventually pressured by the opposition to suspend 7 officers for obstructing voters and verifying ballots.

The post Voting manipulation and police brutality plague 8 out of 15 by-poll seats; Muslim voters denied their right to vote in UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> A voter turnout of over 50% was recorded in the bypolls for 15 Assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Especially, voting in the bypolls for nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh saw a slow start on Wednesday, with turnout failing to exceed 60% in any constituency. Ghaziabad recorded a particularly low turnout of just 33%. In comparison, the state had a 61.03% turnout in the 2022 Assembly elections.

Voting began at 7 a. m. in constituencies including Katehari, Karhal, Mirapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur, and Kundarki, with polls scheduled to close at 5 p. m. By the 5 the 5 p. m. update, voter turnout figures were as follows: Ghaziabad 33.30%, Katehari 56.69%, Khair 46.43%, Kundarki 57.32%, Karhal 53.92%, Majhawan 50.41%, Meerapur 57.02%, Phulpur 43.43%, and Sisamau 49.03%.

Sabrang India reported multiple incidents of voter suppression across Uttar Pradesh’s Meerapur, Kundarki, and Sisamau assembly constituencies on November 20, 2024. As by-elections for 15 seats concluded at 6 pm, 8 out of 15 seats saw blatant violations of voting rights. Particularly troubling were the reports from 7 of the 9 seats in Uttar Pradesh, where Muslim women were allegedly denied their right to vote based on their religious identity. Hundreds of videos surfaced on social media, exposing these violations and raising concerns about the fairness of the elections. Additionally, clashes erupted between AAP and Congress workers in Punjab’s Dera Baba Nanak seat.

Muslim women voters stopped by police, IDs and voting slips illegally verified

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav shared a video from Kakrouli, Meerapur, showing a police officer in riot gear pointing a gun at women. In a post on X, he tagged the Election Commission, urging immediate suspension of the Kakrouli SHO. He accused the officer of preventing voters from casting their votes by threatening them with a revolver.

“Election Commission should immediately suspend SHO of Kakrouli police station area of Meerapur because he is stopping voters from casting their votes by threatening them with a revolver.” He wrote on X

Akhilesh Yadav also shared another video showing burqa-clad women claiming they were being prevented by police from reaching the polling station. In Ibrahimpur, Muslim women faced mistreatment and were denied the right to vote. Expressing concern on his official X handle, Yadav urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against the Station House Officer (SHO) responsible for the incident.

“There should be immediate suspension action against the SHO who used indecent behaviour and language with women to prevent them from casting their votes in Ibrahimpur,” he wrote on X.

Shockingly, voters were reportedly also stopped by police from casting their votes at booth number 65 in the Katehari Assembly of Ambedkar Nagar.

While the legal mandate to check voters’ IDs and slips lies with the presiding officer and their team, as clarified by the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh in an order dated November 19, 2024, police personnel deployed at polling booths in UP blatantly violated this rule on poll day i.e. November 20, 2024. Despite the mandate, police personnel demanded voters, particularly Muslim voters, show their IDs. Many were forcibly turned away and prevented from proceeding to the polling booths, effectively denying them their right to vote.


Viral photo shows cop holding stone in hands

A viral photo from Uttar Pradesh has shocked and raised concerns over police actions, particularly highlighting the selective treatment of Muslim voters. In the troubling photo surfaced on social media, a UP policeman is seen holding a stone, which has sparked questions over the oppressive police action. The photo has drawn attention to alleged illegal practices by the UP Police during by-election duties, with many questioning the force’s conduct and its approach to handling voters during the election process. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav slammed the UP government over police brutality against voters. He posted on X:

“Oppressive rulers have created such conditions, Giving stones to those meant to protect us.

The country says today, “we don’t want the BJP!”


SP demanded re-polling on Kundarki assembly constituency

On Wednesday, the Samajwadi Party (SP) called for repolling in the Kundarki Assembly seat, alleging fraudulent voting and a deliberate attempt to prevent voters from a specific community from reaching polling stations. Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate, Mohammad Rizwan wrote to the Election Commission, requesting the cancellation of the election

However, Mohammad Rizwan confronted police officers who were checking voter IDs and slips at a barricade near a polling booth. Rizwan lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (ECI), accusing police of misconduct, including physically assaulting polling agents and obstructing voters, particularly in Milak Sikri. He alleged that police actions were aimed at disrupting the election process and intimidating party agents. Voters in Kundarki reported being questioned about their party choice, with those supporting the SP facing abrasive treatment and, in some cases, being denied the right to vote. Rizwan claimed the administration was actively preventing SP supporters from voting.

Rizwan claimed that SP supporters and other voters were subjected to extreme police atrocities, with reports of intimidation and obstruction. According to the candidate, the local administration was actively preventing and threatening Samajwadi Party supporters from exercising their right to vote.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Haji Mohd Rizwan (@mohdrizwanmla)

Full story can be read here

ECI suspended 7 Policemen in UP over violations

Despite numerous videos circulating on X and other social media platforms, in which Muslim women alleged vote denial based on their religious identity, the Election Commission of India (ECI) initially remained silent. After facing pressure from the opposition, the ECI eventually took action and suspended seven police personnel, including three from Moradabad, two from Kanpur, and two from Muzaffarnagar.

These videos highlighted how voters supporting the Samajwadi Party (SP) were allegedly mistreated by the administration, with claims of rude behavior and intimidation. Many reported being denied the right to vote, particularly those pressing the SP’s cycle button.

It was after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav accused police of unlawfully checking voter IDs and Aadhaar cards, publicly and repeatedly on ‘X’, formerly twitter,  urging the Election Commission to take action, that the poll body began to address the issue. Yadav’s accusations highlighted the BJP’s alleged influence on the administration to suppress votes and engage in foul play. While the ECI did suspend several officers, its initial inaction on the widespread complaints only fueled doubts about its impartiality.

Additionally, in a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Ridwa clarified that five police officers have been suspended in response to complaints of irregularities during voting. He emphasised that all voters arriving to cast their votes would undergo ID verification, but this responsibility lies solely with the polling station staff. Police officers are not authorized to check IDs, and any police personnel found performing this task will face strict action.

Punjab records 59.67% voter turnout till 5 PM in 4 Assembly Constituencies

In the Punjab by-polls across 4 assembly constituencies, the overall voter turnout reached an average of 59.67% by 5 PM. The turnout for individual seats was as follows: Dera Baba Nanak recorded 59.8%, Chabbewal (SC) saw 48.0%, Gidderbaha had the highest turnout at 78.1%, and Barnala recorded 52.7%.

While the election proceeded peacefully in most areas, a clash broke out between AAP and Congress workers at the Dera Pathana polling booth in Gurdaspur, creating a brief moment of tension. Despite this, the by-poll remained peaceful.

Palakkad (Kerala) bypoll turnout crosses 50%

With just half an hour remaining before polling stations close in the Palakkad by-election, voter turnout had reached 65.98%, with 1,28,484 votes cast out of 1,94,706 registered voters. Of the 1,00,290 women voters in the constituency, 66,162 have already cast their votes, reflecting active participation in the election process. The final turnout is expected to increase as the voting period concludes.

Kedarnath recorded 56.78 % turnout till 5 PM

As of 5 PM, the voter turnout in the Kedarnath by-election reached 56.78%, according to the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttarakhand. Voting began at 8 a.m. and concluded at 6 p.m.

However, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan criticised the illegal police interference in checking IDs, posting on X, he said that. “There are many credible reports of gross police interference with voting today. Police are preventing minorities from voting under the guise of checking ID cards. How is this permissible @ECISVEEP? Are you allowing @Uppolice to control elections?”

 

Hence, the by-elections for 15 assembly seats across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala, and Uttarakhand on November 20, 2024, were marred by significant voter suppression and police misconduct. In Uttar Pradesh, 8 out of the 15 seats experienced blatant violations of voting rights, with Muslim women and other voters being denied the right to vote based on their religious identity. The Election Commission, initially silent, eventually suspended seven police officers in response to widespread allegations of illegal ID checks and voter obstruction. Violent clashes between AAP and Congress workers were also reported in Punjab’s Dera Baba Nanak. The low turnout, especially in Uttar Pradesh, raised concerns about the integrity of the election process.

The Election Commission’s delayed response to these violations further undermined public confidence in its impartiality. On November 23, 2024, the results for all 15 by-election seats will be announced, with voter suppression and electoral misconduct continuing to cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the outcomes. The gaze will then be on the integrity of the counting process, especially after serious concerns have been expressed about the concealment of actual voting figures — constituency-wise—by the ECI before counting begins, at 8 am on November 23.

Related:

https://sabrangindia.in/up-by-elections-reports-of-serious-disturbances-and-disruption-of-voters/

https://cjp.org.in/counting-of-votes-and-post-counting-remedies-to-the-victim-candidates-of-a-tainted-election-process/

https://sabrangindia.in/vote-for-democracy-vfd-releases-report-on-the-conduct-of-general-election-2024/

 

The post Voting manipulation and police brutality plague 8 out of 15 by-poll seats; Muslim voters denied their right to vote in UP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Farmers protests: Court reprimands Punjab government on filing ‘zero-FIR’ for case of alleged police brutality https://sabrangindia.in/farmers-protests-court-reprimands-punjab-government-on-filing-zero-fir-for-case-of-alleged-police-brutality/ Mon, 08 Apr 2024 08:53:41 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=34538 The Punjab and Haryana High Courts have questioned the Punjab government on Zero FIR being filed despite a clear statement by the victim.

The post Farmers protests: Court reprimands Punjab government on filing ‘zero-FIR’ for case of alleged police brutality appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> In recent news, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Punjab government why they filed a Zero FIR when a farmer has clearly said he was taken from Punjab to Haryana and then beaten severely.

During the hearing, the police officials have also stated that the zero FIR was registered without looking at the medical reports of the victim as they were not available to them.

The protesting farmer, Preet Pal Singh, was reportedly ‘taken’ from the Haryana border on February 21 when he was distributing food ‘langar’, at the protest after which he was reportedly beaten brutally. His father, Davinder Singh, had filed a habeas corpus and on February 28, the Punjab and Haryana High Court addressed concerns about Preetpal Singh and expressed their dissatisfaction with the unclear details of Singh’s case at PGIMS Rohtak. In his petition, Singh claimed that his son was taken by Haryana Police while peacefully protesting on land in Punjab. The court had instructed PGI Chandigarh to form a medical board to assess Preetpal Singh’s injuries as he remained hospitalised at the time. His father has claimed to the court that his son was a part of the peaceful farmers protests.

On March 14, Preet Pal Singh himself had also confirmed this account as well as the fact that he was picked up from territory in Punjab in front of the magistrate. He stated that 8-10 police officials from Haryana had dragged him, stuffed him in a bag, and beaten him.

The courts have taken up Punjab police and asked it to state the reason why a zero FIR was registered on April 2 when the police had the statement of Preetpal Singh specifying from where he was picked up. A police official may register a complaint under the zero FIR if the incident took place under the jurisdiction of another police station.

According to The Tribune, Justice Manuja stated, “Once the officer concerned, while registering the FIR was of the view that cognizable offence is made out based on the statement of injured, as to why Zero FIR has been registered regarding the incident, especially when the injured specifically alleges in his statement dated March 14 that he was picked up from the territory of Punjab and taken to the territory of Haryana, where he was beaten up mercilessly?” The court has asked the police to give its response by April 9.

At least 10 farmers have thus far died in the farmers protests which began with a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 13. One of the deceased, a young farmer named Shubh Karan Singh, was reportedly shot in the head by the police on February 21 at the Khanauri border. An autopsy detailed that he also had metal pellets in his head, according to the Hindustan Times. Farmers in Punjab have alleged inaction against his death.

The police has been criticised by deploying heavy use of force to quell the farmers’ protests. The police have used tear gas, water cannons against the protesting farmers. The farmers have been demanding the government to provide a minimum support price for crops.

 

Related:

Farmers protest: Death of a farmer after teargas shells dropped by Haryana cops, protests intensify as 77 SM accounts banned by MEITY/MHA

Extension of internet bans, suspension of social media accounts: state action on farmers’ protest focuses on suppression of voices

Farmers Protest: Braving tear gas, blockades, state obstructions, farmers journey towards Delhi to demand law on MSP

Farmers Protest: Union proposes contractual MSP for 5 years for three pulse crops, maize, and cotton, no law on MSP; farmer union to decide

RSS must stop demonising farmers’ movement: AIKS

Farmers’ Protest: Physical repression, prohibitory orders, Delhi entry blocked – Déjà Vu?

The post Farmers protests: Court reprimands Punjab government on filing ‘zero-FIR’ for case of alleged police brutality appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Uttar Pradesh, Bihar: Outrage erupts as policemen commit heinous crimes against Dalits https://sabrangindia.in/uttar-pradesh-bihar-outrage-erupts-as-policemen-commit-heinous-crimes-against-dalits/ Thu, 04 Jan 2024 13:31:20 +0000 https://sabrangindia.in/?p=32214 Two harrowing stories of brutality emerge from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as a 25-year-old Dalit woman is found dead in Agra, allegedly murdered by a police constable. Similarly, in Bihar's Sitamarhi, public outrage rises as a police inspector is under investigation for assaulting a Dalit woman at a marketplace.

The post Uttar Pradesh, Bihar: Outrage erupts as policemen commit heinous crimes against Dalits appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> A 25-year-old Dalit woman found raped and strangled allegedly at the hands of a 27-year-old police constable, who is now identified as Raghvendra Singh, in Agra, according the Financial Express. The victim’s dead body was recovered from the room the constable had rented. It was hanging from the ceiling of Singh’s room on December 29.

According to report, the existing evidence has revealed that the constable and the young Dalit woman had a shared history of having known each other for the past five years. The two had met each other while undergoing nursing training in Jhansi where they decided that they had wanted to marry each other. PTI has reported that the girl had visited the constable’s room a day prior to her death. 

The Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), RK Singh, has stated that Raghvendra Singh is originally from Jhansi and was residing in rented accommodation in Belanganj, Agra. The victim was employed at a Kidney Centre in Gurugram and had come to the constable’s room a day before she had died.

The victim’s brother has stated that her family was open and had discussed the option of marriage with the constable Singh’s family, however, his family had declined the proposal. However, this did not deter the constable who continued to be in communication with the woman. 

Reports suggest that on the day of the incident, Raghvendra Singh had made a brief appearance at his office but had reportedly left early. A police official has told the Indian Express, that after Singh left early from office he found the woman dead by hanging herself at his room. Following these events, the family filed a complaint and he was taken into custody. The father of the victim filed legal action against the constable, and the police have pressed charges under sections 306, 376, and the SC/ST Act of the Indian Penal Code. Furthermore, invoking the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused reflects the gravity of the situation.

The accused was initially absconding, however the police have reportedly arrested him as of now. The ACP, Rakesh Kumar Singh has further stated that the accused constable had transported the dead body to the hospital before running away. 

Sitamarhi, Bihar 

In Bihar’s Sitamarhi, Inspector Rajkishore Singh, the in-charge of Surasand police station, is under intense spotlight after a video has surfaced in which he has been caught assaulting a Dalit woman in public. The footage captures Singh wielding a stick and repeatedly beating the woman in the Surasand market. Marketgoers and onlookers continue to look at the woman being beaten by the inspector in the video. 

The incident featured Singh in his official uniform beating the woman and has now, since then gone viral and garnered widespread condemnation from the public. The hashtag #SitamarhiPolice has also been reportedly trending on social media platforms. However, the police reportedly have not independently verified the video. However, the Sitamarhi Police released a statement acknowledging the incident and announced a thorough investigation into the matter. 

According to Vinod Kumar, the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO), have stated the woman was being beaten because there as an alleged kidnapping case of a girl. Kumar has clarified in a video statement that a girl had been rescued. According to NDTV, the police has stated that, “The girl was rescued, but the two sides visited the police station and engaged in a fight among themselves outside. This led to a traffic jam on the road and the cop used his baton to disperse the crowd.”

Violence against Dalit women remains a distressing and pervasive issue and shows the continued persistence of deep-rooted social inequalities and discrimination. The intersectionality of caste and gender further worsens marginalisation, rendering Dalit women more susceptible to systemic discrimination. The violence is not only interpersonal but also institutional, with reports of Dalit women being disproportionately affected by atrocities, including rape and domestic violence. 

Related

Dalits attacked by upper castes at Buddha Katha ceremony in Kanpur

 9-year-old Dalit girl raped and murdered in Ghaziabad by 52-year-old landlord

Untouchability and exclusion, absence of voice: Dalit situation 2023

Anti-Dalit incidents in December: 14-year-old killed for plucking gram leaves

The post Uttar Pradesh, Bihar: Outrage erupts as policemen commit heinous crimes against Dalits appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> How did it go from flower showers to alleged lathicharge on doctors? https://sabrangindia.in/how-did-it-go-flower-showers-alleged-lathicharge-doctors/ Tue, 28 Dec 2021 08:32:34 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/12/28/how-did-it-go-flower-showers-alleged-lathicharge-doctors/ Doctors protesting delay in NEET-PG counselling, allege “police brutality’; call for withdrawal from healthcare services across the country from December 29

The post How did it go from flower showers to alleged lathicharge on doctors? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Police brutality
Image Courtesy:thenewster.com

Doctors had been hailed as “warriors” during the devastating Covid-19 second wave just months ago. Flower petals were showered on them from choppers as the government’s gesture on thanksgiving. Many on the frontline were young doctors who worked long hours, often staying away from families for months, till the killer wave subsided. Many lost their lives while on duty, trying to help others.

However, all that seems a thing of the past. On Monday December 27, a protest called by young doctors in New Delhi, was in the news for the wrong reasons. Doctors have alleged that while they were protesting the delay in NEET-PG counselling, they were “brutally thrashed and lathicharged” by Delhi Police personnel. Doctors shared photos and videos of the protest on social media.

By Tuesday, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) called for a complete withdrawal from all healthcare services across the country from 8 A.M on December 29 “in protest against brute force by Delhi Police against doctors.” The FAIMA stated that “resident doctors were protesting peacefully and alleged that female doctors were brutally thrashed and lathicharged by male police personnel during the demonstration.” According to news reports, resident doctors’ associations of government-run hospitals also called for a complete shutdown of all healthcare institutions in protest of the alleged use of force and detention of doctors d by the Delhi Police, when the protest march headed towards the Supreme Court.

Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) also issued a statement against the alleged “police brutality” and called it a “black day in the history of the medical fraternity”. The Resident Doctors from Delhi’s major government hospitals, have been demanding the “immediate declaration of NEET PG 2021 counselling schedule”. The delays are reportedly “due to a clutch of cases pending in the Supreme Court over the recently introduced quota for the economically weaker sections”.

According to news reports, around 50 doctors, including the president of the FORDA that is leading the strike, were detained near ITO on Monday. Dr Anuj Aggarwal, general secretary of the resident doctors’ association of Safdarjung Hospital told mediapersons, “Both male and female doctors were dragged on the road. Several people were injured, some had lacerations from being dragged, others got hit against the barricades, and still others received injuries to their hand when the bus door was closed on it.” The doctors were later released.

According to a report in Indian Express, the Delhi Police registered an FIR under sections of rioting, causing obstruction in duty and damaging public property against the doctors, at IP Estate police station after a complaint was filed by a police personnel.

 

The IE quoted Additional DCP (Central district) Rohit Meena as saying, “They came to protest and tried to stop the traffic movement. We tried to stop them and they then started marching towards the Supreme Court. We again stopped them after discussing with them. Seven police personnel received minor injuries and they have damaged two buses as well. We are taking legal opinion before lodging any FIR against them.” 

Over 2,500 resident doctors were detained at the Sarojini Nagar police station while they were marching towards the Union Health Minister’s residence. With no space within the police station, they stood outside. In addition to slogans, they also sang the national anthem, stated news reports.

The strike had resumed on December 17, and now the doctors are getting many messages of solidarity online.

 

It is crucial to remember that Doctors, nurses, and health workers on duty were hugely impacted during Covid-19 this year. By June, as many as 650 doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) died due to Covid-19. According to their state-wise break-up of deaths, 109 deaths were recorded in Delhi within the past two months or so. States that followed suit were Bihar and Uttar Pradesh with 96 and 67 deaths respectively. By the end of the month, the national death count rose to 798 healthcare workers. 

Related:

Death came calling with a vengeance in 2021
650 doctors dead due to Covid-19 in around 2 months
EXCLUSIVE: PM must intervene, stop misinformation campaign, recognise Covid martyr medics: IMA chief
594 doctors died during second wave of Covid-19: IMA
Indian Medical Association seeks FIR against Ramdev
Gadbadjhala: Mystery that is PM CARES

The post How did it go from flower showers to alleged lathicharge on doctors? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Kanpur Dehat cop brutally thrashes man holding his child https://sabrangindia.in/kanpur-dehat-cop-brutally-thrashes-man-holding-his-child/ Fri, 10 Dec 2021 05:59:42 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/12/10/kanpur-dehat-cop-brutally-thrashes-man-holding-his-child/ UP police calls it ‘mild force’ suspends violent cop "insensitivity" after massive outrage as video goes viral

The post Kanpur Dehat cop brutally thrashes man holding his child appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> cop brutally
Image Courtesy:apnlive.com

“Bachhe ko lag jayegi sahab… Bachhe ko lag jayegi (The child will get hurt),” pleads a man who is being brutally thrashed in public by a policeman in Uttar Pradesh. In response another cop tries to forcibly take the scared and screaming child away from the father asking him whose child it was. “Mera baccha hai.. iski maa bhi nahi hain (This is my child.. doesn’t even have a mother),” he replies, all the while trying to protect the child from getting hit by the police stick.

The video which seemed to have been shot by an onlooker is distressing for the coldest heart. However the police continue with their brutality even as the man can be heard pleading for the cop to stop, and saying that his child can be hit and hurt if the cops continue thrashing him. 

According to the police, the man is an employee of the district hospital in Kanpur Dehat’s Akbarpur and his brother is a “regular nuisance maker”. A second man is seen inside a police vehicle, and it seems he is groaning in pain too. 

The shocking incident of excessive force took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur Dehat’s Akbarpur town on Thursday afternoon. According to NDTV, the policeman who was seen mercilessly hitting the man carrying a child in his arms has been suspended for “insensitivity”. The suspension came after massive outrage over the incident was reported.

The cop is an inspector from the local police station. However the police response has been as shocking as this act of violence against the man and the child he is holding. According to news reports, a senior police official in Kanpur Dehat said on record that ‘light force’ was used and that the police actually tried to protect the child.

Kanpur Dehat’s Additional Superintendent of Police Ghanshyam Chaurasia told the media, “A few people were spreading lawlessness in the area, shutting down the Out Patients’ Department (OPD) of the hospital and scaring the patient’s away.” He added that the man’s brother, “the chief instigator,” is an employee of the district hospital in Kanpur Dehat’s Akbarpur and a “regular nuisance maker” who bit the police inspector’s hand while the victim also obstructed the police. 

However, NDTV reported that a second official in the area, Deputy Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Singh had earlier accepted that excessive force was used in this case. Hours later the barbaric police action is still being called out.

 

When public outrage over the incident grew, the Kanpur Dehat police Twitter handle put out a written statement saying an inquiry has been ordered and the concerned police inspector has been removed from his post. However, the UP police statement called it “mild force”, and added that “protestors had locked the OPD of the District Hospital and disrupted its services.” Local Police claim they were attacked when they went to “restore order on the request of the Chief Medical Superintendent following which use of mild force was done which is no justification for the insensitivity by the policeman,” adding that “while controlling the incident, the cop showed insensitivity… he has been suspended with immediate effect.” The Police issued another statement, “Such conduct on the part of police personnel despite repeated instructions to respect the dignity of every citizen is not acceptable.” 

 

Just a few days ago, aspirant teachers launched state-wide protests to condemn recruitment irregularities and the brutal police lathi-charge on individuals observing a candle march on December 5, 2021. On Sunday, a large group of hopeful teachers gathered in Lucknow to condemn the infamous irregularities in the 2019 Uttar Pradesh exam that was to recruit 69,000 assistant teachers across UP. However, the peaceful protesters ended up facing heavy police lathi-charge. The incident sparked huge outrage among Opposition party leaders and the masses.

On November 11, 2021, an alleged “encounter” was carried out by the Loni police in Ghaziabad district. However, as it was reported in the days following, each of the seven men who were injured had “identical uniform injuries” below the knee. The CPI(M) Committee wrote to the UP Cheif Minister and called this an act of “shocking police atrocity” adding that the Loni Police Station SHO Rajendra Tyagi was only suspended after he “publicly objected to his transfer” and  demanded that “a case of attempt to murder and other relevant sections should be levied on the SHO and he should be arrested and prosecuted”.  It is important to note that the injured men are all Muslims. 

Related

UP: Aspiring teachers call for mass protests following brutal lathi-charge
Muzaffarnagar horror: Two school principals drug and molest 17 girl students!
Hate Watch: UP Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya continues spewing anti-Muslim venom
Uttar Pradesh: Kairana back in the spotlight in the run up to Assembly Elections
Man “from same community arrested” for allegedly killing Dalit family: UP Police
An ‘encounter’ in UP: Identical injuries, allegations of ‘cow slaughter’, Muslim daily wagers in jail?

The post Kanpur Dehat cop brutally thrashes man holding his child appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Uttar Pradesh: Young man dies on return from police questioning, family alleges torture https://sabrangindia.in/uttar-pradesh-young-man-dies-return-police-questioning-family-alleges-torture/ Tue, 16 Nov 2021 12:30:20 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/11/16/uttar-pradesh-young-man-dies-return-police-questioning-family-alleges-torture/ According to the family the man was allegedly detained by local police who suspected him to be involved in a case of loot, but was tortured in custody, and once released died last night

The post Uttar Pradesh: Young man dies on return from police questioning, family alleges torture appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Torture

*Trigger warning: Disturbing descriptions of injuries, alleged torture and death follow. 

A young man died, allegedly of injuries sustained while he was in police custody in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. His distraught family turned over his body to show purple bruises on his back, and buttocks. They alleged that the man was allegedly detained by the local police who suspected him to be involved in a case of loot. According to the family, the man was allegedly tortured in custody, and once released he died last night during treatment.

A young relative, possibly a sister of the victim, recalled his last moment to the media, saying the police did not even take the victim for treatment. 

However, Kanpur DCP BBGTS Murthy, told the media that the victim’s family has accused “some” people. He adds that he was told there were cops from some other area which is being investigated. He asserts that the victim’s family has “not blamed” the local police.

Uttar Pradesh police has been under the scanner for alleged custodial deaths reported from Kasganj,  and in October from Agra where the families of the victims have also alleged torture in Police custody.

In this case, that came to light on November 16, Jitendra Srivastava, a 25-year-old resident of Guva garden, Kanpur, was reportedly picked up by the local police on Sunday on suspicion of his involvement in a theft, reported the portal The News Agency. According to the family, when he was released from police custody, a badly bruised Jitendra had said he was in a lot of pain. The family says he breathed his last even before they could get him proper medical treatment. According to reports, Jitendra was a daily wage earner and was scheduled to go to Mumbai in a few days for a job.  

The aforementioned young woman has named and accused Panki Chowki in-charge of keeping Jitendra in the lock-up and thrashing him. According to reports, the family kept the body of the youth on the road and was protesting. Soon the media footage of their distress was posted on social media. Senior police officials have since reportedly met the family. However, it is not yet known if any police officials 

 

Remember Altaf who allegedly hung himself from a 2-foot pipe?

The case brings back memories of the recent death of  21-year-old Altaf, who died in Kasganj Police’s custody on Tuesday November 9. As soon as the news of his death had spread on Wednesday, November 10, Uttar Pradesh police were quick to claim that he had died by suicide in the toilet. Kasganj Superintendent of Police Botre Rohan Pramod had issued a video statement and claimed that Altaf, went to the washroom inside the lock-up and “there he sought to strangle himself by tying the naada or string of the hood of his jacket to a tap.”

Three days after Altaf was found dead, the minor girl who had gone “missing” in Kasganj district has been found. Altaf had been brought in “for questioning” as the girl’s family had reported her missing. Altaf was accused in a complaint by the girl’s family, of kidnapping her. He was found dead at the police station on November 9. Police claimed that he hung himself with a drawstring from the hood of his jacket, from a water pipe in a toilet. According to news reports, an FIR has been lodged against unidentified policemen, under IPC Section 302 (murder) at the Kasganj police station in connection with Altaf’s death, and a departmental inquiry as well a magisterial probe into the custodial death are being conducted simultaneously.

Now, Kasganj SP, Botre Rohan Pramod, was quoted by Indian Express saying, “The girl was recovered safely from Kasganj railway station. Teams had been formed and we tracked her location after surveillance. A medical examination was carried out the following day, there was no sign of any form of injury. Her statement has been recorded in front of a magistrate and further aspects of the case will be investigated”. 

What happened in Agra? 

A sanitation worker, Arun Valmiki, who had been accused of stealing Rs 25 lakhs, “suddenly fell ill”, reportedly during interrogation in police custody and was declared dead after he was taken to a hospital. This case was reported in October. Valmiki who worked as a cleaner had been accused of stealing Rs 25 lakh from the Jagdishpura police station’s storage house where confiscated items are kept. According to SP Muniraj, Rs 15 lakh were recovered when police raided his house. However, Arun’s family filed a complaint in connection with his death and members of the Valmiki community demanded a fair probe into his death. 

They alleged that Valmiki “was questioned aggressively by the police which led to his death.” An FIR was filed against unknown accused at Jagdishpura for alleged murder. Six police officials, including a station house officer, were suspended after Rs 25 lakh and pistols had been stolen from the storage room of Jagdishpura Police Station.

Related

UP: How did a 5.6 foot Altaf ‘hang himself’ to death from a 2 foot pipe in a police lockup toilet? 
UP: Muslim man accused of kidnapping Hindu girl dies in police custody
With thinning patience, SC recommends HC judge to monitor Lakhimpur Kheri probe
Inquiry into rights violations by UP police during 2019 anti-CAA protests: NHRC
UP: NHRC sets up inquiry in minor boy’s death by suicide after spending 3 months in jail
Gujarat: Citizens group may march to Raj Bhavan to protest “inaction by police”
Anti-Muslim hate on streets: Vendors beaten, forced to chant Jai Sri Ram, boycotted, dargah desecrated

The post Uttar Pradesh: Young man dies on return from police questioning, family alleges torture appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> CJP aids families of victims of Assam Police firing move HC https://sabrangindia.in/cjp-aids-families-victims-assam-police-firing-move-hc/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 05:49:42 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/11/03/cjp-aids-families-victims-assam-police-firing-move-hc/ Court issues notice, seeking response from the State in connection with the incident where two people, including a 12-year-old boy, were shot dead when Assam Police opened fire on families protesting forced evictions

The post CJP aids families of victims of Assam Police firing move HC appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Assam Police firing

The terrifying images from Assam’s eviction drive that escalated into brute action by the Assam Police who opened fire upon innocent civilians on September 23, 2021 in Dhalpur, must continue to haunt many. Hundreds of families were rendered homeless amidst a punishing monsoon and a raging Covid-19 pandemic with just a few hours’ notice sent over Whatsapp the previous midnight. When they protested, the response was bullets!

Since then, there has been an increase in incidents of injustice, both hate crimes and institutional violence, against the Bengali speaking Muslim minority in the north eastern state. Therefore, it has become even more pertinent to raise our voices to ensure that the impunity of any officer, who may have acted illegally and in bad faith, does not go un-punished in accordance with the law.

In CJP’s endeavour to bring justice to those rendered homeless in Assam during the eviction and to those who lost their family members to the police firing and brute action, we have filed two separate writ petitions in the Gauhati High Court:

  • one in the matter of the death of 12 year old Sheikh Farid who fell victim to indiscriminate police firing at the eviction site, and,
  • another in the incident where a farmer, Maynal Haque, whose house was being forcefully demolished, was shot down by the police.

One of the most gut-wrenching images from the September 23 police firing on evicted families in Assam, was that of an unconscious Farid. He had gone to the post office to collect his friend’s Aadhaar card, never to return. Also, in a video that was doing the rounds on social media showed extremely disturbing visuals of an agitated Haque running in self-defense with a stick, and being beaten up by a handful police officials and after he was visibly lifeless. In fact, thereafter, a photographer, covering the incident started stomping over the defenseless body.

The High Court has issued notice to the state government of Assam on the first petition (Sheikh Farid) October 25 and on the writ petition of the second victim (Maynal Haque) on November 1. The next hearing for both is scheduled for December 1.

In both petitions, the family members of the victims are the petitioners, hoping that some justice is delivered to them. While Farid’s family lost a young child, Haque’s family lost the breadwinner leaving his not only three young children without a father, and a grieving widow, but also elderly parents.

Petition for Sheikh Farid

Sheikh Farid, a resident of Kirakara village of the Dhalpur region, would not have “lost his life at the tender age of 12 had the police force handled the situation professionally and with due diligence and care. The area where the incident took place is a busy area and resident of the petitioners’ village have to travel through the said area to reach their part of village. As such the police force ought to have been better equipped and prepared to deal with any situation to cope with the situation to avoid any loss of human lives,” the petition states.

The petition asserts that Farid’s death was “caused by an act of use of force in excess of what was required inasmuch as assuming but not admitting that there was some mob violence the indiscriminate use of firearms when the area is a busy one, where women and children also reside and pass by ought to have been avoided.”

The petition seeks compensation for the family of Farid who came to know of his death in a video that was circulating on social media and disturbing images of his blood-soaked body doing the rounds.

Petition for Maynal Haque

Maynal Haque and his family had been residing in No 3 Dhalpur village since more than four decades after their previous home was washed away due to erosion of River Brahmaputra. Haque who died in the police firing was a farmer and has left behind his wife and three minor children.

In the wee hours of September 23, Haque and his family were made aware that some residents of the village were served eviction notices, while he had not received any. By 10 A.M that day, people from the District Administration along with a large force of police personnel came to the village asking residents to vacate their homes. At this point all residents gathered peacefully requesting the authorities to give them some time and to rehabilitate them. Naturally, at the thought of being left homeless, they were anxious and the officials did not grant them enough time to collect their belongings and instead started demolishing the houses forcefully. In this tense environment, the police used tear gas shells on the residents and started firing in the air.

Haque was shot as he took up a stick to defend himself against the police and even thereafter, his lifeless body was assaulted by the police, and a photographer, covering the incident, mercilessly stomped over Haque’s body.

The petition points out that the police were not accompanied with any water cannons or any other restrained measures of crown control. The police had other means to overpower a person like Haque who was merely yielding a stick, much less a bullet on chest of the victim. The petition highlights that Haque’s killing is not only an instance of excessive use of force but in fact is an act of police brutality and cold-blooded murder in broad day light. 

The petition underscores that the law is settled, that even trespassers cannot be evicted from any land without following the due process of law, which was, however, violated by use of brute force of the state police machinery in a period when people are beleaguered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both petitions point out that as per section 129 of the Code of Criminal procedure (CrPC) the police are to use civil force to disperse an assembly and under section 130, it is stipulated that “a police officer while seeking to disperse any assembly shall use as little force, and do as little injury to person and property, as may be consistent with dispersing the assembly and arresting and detaining such persons.”

Further, even under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 99, a public servant cannot act in defence unless there is apprehension of death or grievous hurt. The petition also points out various provisions of the Assam Police Manual which prescribes how to deal with assemblies and when can firearms be used.

Also, international conventions such as Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials states that firearms should be used only in self-defence or defence of others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury.

Finally, in both cases, right to life under Article 21 of both the victims was violated and the deaths were caused in clear violation of the accepted norms and standard under the various laws and also the norms accepted under the international standards.  

The two complete petitions may be read here:

The court orders may be read here:

Related:

Assam Police Firing: 12-year-old shot dead while returning home from Aadhaar centre!
Photo Feature: Evicted villagers struggle to rebuild lives in Dhalpur
Finally, FIRs filed in Dhalpur firing death cases

The post CJP aids families of victims of Assam Police firing move HC appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> After farmers, now protesting students face police brutality https://sabrangindia.in/after-farmers-now-protesting-students-face-police-brutality/ Tue, 12 Oct 2021 07:17:58 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/10/12/after-farmers-now-protesting-students-face-police-brutality/ Students in Delhi, especially women protesters demanding justice for Lakhimpur Kheri victims, reported severe physical abuse at the hands of city police

The post After farmers, now protesting students face police brutality appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> All India Students’ Association (AISA)Image Courtesy:twitter

Students condemning Lakhimpur Kheri killings in solidarity with India’s protesting farmers have reported severe mistreatment by police officials over the last week. While on October 10, 2021 Delhi students claimed physical abuse by police, as many as five Varanasi students now face FIR charges.

On Sunday, All India Students’ Association (AISA) students protested outside Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s house. They demanded the immediate dismissal of Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra, whose son is the main accused in the killing of four farmers and journalist Raman Kashyap.

Students said Delhi police abused and detained students as soon as protesters arrived outside Shah’s residence. AISA officials said that they were severely beaten and women protesters were injured and harassed. Around 15 to 20 people were taken to the Mandir Marg police station in three buses. Members alleged that women constables in one of the buses ferrying women protesters continued to beat and harass students.

Inside the police station, AISA Delhi Secretary Neha said, “While a Union Minister, whose son has massacred farmers, still remains in power, the government has sought to unleash terror on students and people’s movements. Despite whatever violence police inflict on us, our demand for expulsion of Ajay Mishra stands strong.”

Students were later released at 6 PM after police filed FIRs against them all.

In Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own constituency, five Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students faced FIR charges for protesting in solidarity with Lakhimpur Kheri farmers outside the Malviya entrance gate  on October 4. 

Shortly after the Sunday incident, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for nationwide demonstrations. People from various sections of society came forward to condemn the event. This included around 8 to 10 BHU students including Nitish Kumar, Aakanksha Azad, Bhuval Yadav, Raj Abhishek Singh and one unknown individual.

Protesters reiterated the demand for Mishra’s dismissal from his ministerial position as Minister of State for Home Affairs to ensure a fair trial against all those accused in the case. In response, the Varanasi police lodged FIRs against the five aforementioned students for not wearing masks, and blocking roads without seeking police permission.

While none of the charged have been arrested so far, student organisations have condemned the local police for filing FIRs against peacefully protesting students. Socialist People’s Council General Secretary Aflatoon appealed to the police to withdraw the charges against the students.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh police have barricaded roads leading to Lakhimpur Kheri. Organisations like the All India Kisan Mazdoor Sangathan (AIKMS) reported that leaders were illegally detained in Bara, Prayagraj district to prevent grassroot-level protests.

“Reports indicate that the state government is deploying police and paramilitary forces in anticipation of farmers’ protests as per the SKM’s call of action,” said SKM leaders in a joint statement. SKM has called for prayer meetings at the ground-level in memory of martyred farmers. Citizens who cannot leave their house are requested to light five candles for the Lakhimpur Kheri deaths.

Related:

Maharashtra Bandh: Traffic halts as protesters pay respects to farmer martyrs
Lakhimpur Kheri: Accused Ashish Mishra arrested on Saturday
Lakhimpur Kheri farmer deaths: SKM announces a slew of protests from Oct 12
Lakhimpur Kheri: How does a journalist’s death not make it to the headlines?

 

The post After farmers, now protesting students face police brutality appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Indian Police Force: Abusive and tyrannical? https://sabrangindia.in/indian-police-force-abusive-and-tyrannical/ Tue, 29 Jun 2021 06:34:56 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/06/29/indian-police-force-abusive-and-tyrannical/ Despite the shocking number of police and judicial custodial deaths, very little seems to have been done about it

The post Indian Police Force: Abusive and tyrannical? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Image Courtesy:geo.tv

Allegedly thrashed by the cops at Virajpet Police Station, 50-year-old mentally challenged Roy D’ Souza succumbed to his injuries on June 12 in Karnataka. According to some media sources, Roy, who was also epileptic, was found roaming the streets with a knife in his hand and attacked a constable before being taken into custody. Roy was beaten black and blue and handed over to the family after three hours in police custody. As per The Indian Express, he developed serious health issues and was put on a ventilator in Madikeri Hospital. After Roy’s death, his brother Robin filed a complaint against the Virajpet police and submitted it to SP Kshama Mishra.

When Wasim Khan, dialled 100 and called the police when a fight broke out near his uncle’s residence in village Chandan Hulla, Delhi, he was allegedly taken into custody and three police officials of Fatehpur Beri police station namely Sub Inspectors Satender Guliya, Praveen and Jitendra beat him with lathi, fists and kicks. As per an IE report, he suffered a spinal fracture after he visited Indian Spinal Injury hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi in May 2021.

In Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Faisal Khan, a young vegetable vendor, and the sole breadwinner for his family of six, was allegedly beaten to death by the Unnao Police on May 20. His post mortem report revealed that he succumbed to a head injury and the examination also found a severe injury behind his ear with at least 12 contusions on his body. According to a News Minute report, in Karnataka, when a Dalit youth Punith asked for water, the sub-inspector refused and allegedly forced another person in the lock-up to urinate on Punith. He also alleged that the Gonibeedu Police had made him lick the urine drops on the floor. The police also subjected him to verbal abuse and tried to make him give a false confession, he alleged.

The Wire reported a horrific incident about a 47-year-old farmer, Murugesan, who died allegedly after being beaten by the police at the Pappanaickenpatti check post under the Yethapur police station limits in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district on June 22. The triggering video of the altercation between the special sub inspector Periyasamy and the victim was uploaded on social media, where Murugesan’s friends can be seen trying to plead with the policemen to stop hitting him. This as mentioned above happened in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Shocking statistics           

During this year’s budget session, more startling revelations have come to light. From the year 2019 to 2020, a total of 112 deaths in police custody have been registered according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In terms of deaths in police custody, Gujarat reported the highest number of cases at 15 between the year 2020 up to February 28, 2021. Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, reported 395 cases of death in judicial custody.

Across all States and Union Territories, a total of 86 deaths in police custody was reported by the NHRC, where Gujarat accounts for 6% of deaths in police lockups. The year from 2020 to 2021, reported a whopping 1,645 cases of judicial custodial deaths. Following Gujarat, Maharashtra recorded 11 deaths in police custody and West Bengal reported 158 deaths in judicial custody. Uttar Pradesh painted a very grim picture with leading cases of deaths in judicial custody (400). Whereas Madhya Pradesh recorded 14 death cases in police custody between the year 2019 to 2020.

Odisha saw four police custodial deaths and 80 deaths in judicial custody as per the latest data. In Puri last year, one K. Ramesh was allegedly hacked to death after being picked up by Baseli Sahi Police personnel for some criminal charges against him. After an apparent scuffle with the Police, he was taken to a Hospital on November 19, where he was declared ‘brought dead’ by the doctors. Tariq Salim, a resident of Birmitrapur town, was allegedly picked up by the Police and taken into different locations for investigation in connection with the kidnap of a businessman. The Indian Express reported that his health deteriorated when he was rushed to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) only to be declared dead, early morning on November 19.

Six men from Pipili were admitted to Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital on November 21 with several injury marks on their bodies. Apprehended by the police at Pipili Police Station, the parents of all six accused have alleged that they were mercilessly beaten up by officers since November 13 and their staged dharna (protest) was joined by other Congress party members.  

As per the latest data revealed during the budget session, (from 2020 to February 28, 2021), a staggering 11,955 human rights violation cases have already been registered against the Police. But what’s more astonishing is that not one single police officer has been convicted of a crime since 2005 to 2018 according to the National Campaign Against Torture 2019 report. Of the 125 deaths in police custody documented by the NCAT in 2019, 60 percent were from poor and marginalised communities, including 13 Dalit/tribal victims and 15 Muslims.

Achieving convictions is always difficult because of the legal hurdles posed by section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. This provision lays down that no government official or member of the armed forces alleged to have committed a criminal offence while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of their official duty can be prosecuted except with the prior sanction of the central or state government. More often than not, the state fails to give this sanction to save face.

An example of this is Khwaja Yunus, a 27-year-old accused in the Ghatkopar Bomb blast case of 2002 (Maharashtra) who allegedly died in police custody after being stripped naked, and beaten on his chest and abdomen with a belt in lockup. The four accused police persons who were suspended in 2004 were reinstated in June last year, as per The Hindustan Times.

Year

Total cases against the Police

2015-2016

35,533

2016-2017

27,845

2017-2018

26,391

2018-2019

27,492

2019-2020

16,286

Source: Rajya Sabha unstarred Question No. 3232 answered on 24.03.2021

15 years later, SC directions gathering dust

Police misconduct such as brutality, using excessive force, different methods of torture, humiliation, targeting the most marginalised, although does not go unnoticed but rarely attracts penal punishment. Police reforms have been long recognised especially in Prakash Singh and Ors v. Union of India and Ors (2006) 8 SCC 1, in which the Supreme Court came up with seven directives to kick start such reforms and re-shape the police force’s functioning mechanism.

Amongst the seven directives, the most important to the theme is “Police Complaints Authority” to be set up at the State and district level to inquire into public complaints against police officers of and above the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police in cases of “serious misconduct by the police personnel, which would include incidents involving death, grievous hurt or rape in police custody.”

“The head of the State level Complaints Authority shall be chosen by the State Government out of a panel of names proposed by the Chief Justice; the head of the district level Complaints Authority may also be chosen out of a panel of names proposed by the Chief Justice or a Judge of the High Court nominated by him. These Authorities may be assisted by three to five members depending upon the volume of complaints in different States/districts, and they shall be selected by the State Government from a panel prepared by the State Human Rights Commission/Lok Ayukta/State Public Service Commission. The panel may include members from amongst retired civil servants, police officers or officers from any other department, or from the civil society”, read the judgment authored by Justice Y.K. Sabharwal.

The entire judgment may be read here:

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), in its report on September 22, 2020 that tracked changes made in the police force following the 2006 judgment, found that not even a single State fully complied with the necessary directives. The callousness and absolute laxity can also be traced through Prakash Singh’s petition, who ended up filing contempt pleas against Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh for non-compliance.

As recently as January of this year, as per The Hindu, the Telangana High Court took up a PIL, instructing the State government to constitute State Police Complaints Authority within four weeks of receiving names of retired Supreme Court or High Court judges for appointment as the Authority’s chairman, after almost 15 years of clear directions.

An analysis done by CHRI in 2020 states that 22 States have constituted State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA), while 17 states have constituted District Police Complaints Authority (DPCA), both on paper. Bihar does not have a state level complaint authority after mandated directions and at the district level, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha (that was in disarray in 2020 due to many instances of custodial violence and deaths), Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura and West Bengal lack this authority.

Another important facet to consider is the situation in Kashmir where families have been historically battered by armed forces and police force. After the abrogation of Article 370 withdrawing Kashmir’s special status and enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Modi government is yet to issue a notification to implement this SC directive in the valley, one which probably needs it the most.

SC on CCTV cameras to curb brutality

Last year in December, the Supreme Court passed a detailed and specific order directing states and the centre to take concrete steps towards ensuring that every police station in the country and all investigating agencies have CCTV cameras in their premises. The Bench comprising Justices RF Nariman, KM Joseph and Aniruddha Bose had ordered setting up of state and district level oversight committees that will be responsible for making sure that these CCTV cameras are procured, installed and function so they can be of use during trial.

The judgment may be read here:

But living up to their reputation, most states faltered and the Supreme Court expressed its sheer disappointment at the State’s conduct and failure to follow such directions. In March, the top court expressed its displeasure as both the Centre and the States/UTs did not take the matter seriously. A Bench comprising Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman, BR Gavai and Hrishikesh Roy said, “We reiterate that these are the matters of utmost importance concerning the citizens of this country under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

The top court came down heavily on Telangana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and was most displeased at Bihar’s state of conditions. It noted that nothing has moved forward in these states in terms of installing cameras, allocating necessary budget, etc. In the most recent hearing of this case (Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 3543/2020) that took place in April, the court noted that “so far as Andaman & Nicobar Island is concerned, nothing has yet been done despite our earlier orders.”

Further, the court also directed the central government to allocate its budget accordingly for CCTV camera installation in different investigation agencies like CBI, ED, etc. It has strictly reiterated that “after budgetary allocation is made within the one month given by us, our earlier orders will be implemented in letter and spirit within a period of six months from the date on which budgetary allocation is made.”

The SC order dated April 6, 2021 may be read here: 

Related:

CCTV cameras in Police stations: SC discontent with Centre, States and UTs
End Custodial Torture: SC’s new comprehensive directions on CCTVs in police stations
Disarray in Odisha over custodial violence cases
Gujarat reported highest number of police custodial deaths: Centre in LS

The post Indian Police Force: Abusive and tyrannical? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Delhi Police thrash Muslim man who dialled 100 about a fight in vicinity https://sabrangindia.in/delhi-police-thrash-muslim-man-who-dialled-100-about-fight-vicinity/ Fri, 04 Jun 2021 04:35:01 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2021/06/04/delhi-police-thrash-muslim-man-who-dialled-100-about-fight-vicinity/ He was taken to the police station under the pretext to record his statement and was brutally thrashed with lathis and he now requires spine surgery

The post Delhi Police thrash Muslim man who dialled 100 about a fight in vicinity appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]> Image Courtesy:thewire.in

Wasim Khan, a 29-year-old man residing in Delhi’s Chhatarpur area was allegedly brutally thrashed and beaten up by police officials of Fatehpur Beri Police Station when they took him to record his statement in a complaint made by him on 100 helpline number. Khan had dialled 100 from his phone to complain about a fight that had broken out in his neighbourhood which seemed to have got out of control, reported The Wire.

“It was my first time calling the police,” Khan said. “I never dreamed they would treat me like this. Mujhe kitna mehenga parh gaya yeh 100 number emergency helpline call (This 100 emergency helpline call proved deadly for me).”

On May 17, some fight broke out in Chhatarpur area where Khan resides, and the two parties started throwing stones at each other. This compelled Khan to dial 100 and complain about it. The police from Fatehpur Beri came and dispersed the crowd and broke up the fight and some time later, around 11.30 pm came back to pick up Khan stating that they needed to record the statement with regards to the incident. They took him and 5 others, all Muslims under the same pretext, reported The Wire.

“They beat me with their lathis. Sub-inspector Satender Guliya hit me with his elbows and kept striking a lathi on my back. The other two men, Praveen and Jitender, kicked me, beat me and even held me upside down,” Khan recounted to The Wire. He further alleged that the three policemen,  sub-inspector Satender Guliya, head constable Praveen and constable Jitender, used communal, anti-Muslim slurs, saying, “Bh*****d, ab karega call? Karega call 100 number par? Tum logon ne naak mein dum kar rakha hai, Mullon saalon.” (Translation: S*****-f****r, now tell us whether you’ll call? Will you dare to call the 100 helpline number? You people have created a nuisance, you bloody Mullahs).

Khan was let go in couple of hours and in a few days, the pain in his back only worsened. When the family took him to the hospital, it was found that he needs surgery in his spine. When he was taken to the hospital, the medical staff lodged a medico legal complaint and police from Vasant Kunj police station came. Khan’s uncle Ahmed Ali told The Wire that they struggled to lodge a complaint with Vasant Kunj police station as they kept insisting that they do not have jurisdiction but after much pleading, they took Khan’s complaint in writing.

As per the news report, Khan’s complaint states that “these injuries could have caused my death” and appealed for a criminal case against the policemen concerned under Sections 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 331 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession) and 342 and 348 (pertaining to wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

However, reportedly, there has been no progress in the investigation of the case. Nadeem Khan from the civil society group United Against Hate who is helping out the family has stated that they will pursue the police complaint and will also petition he National Human Rights Commission and if that does not bear any results, they will go to court.

This is not the first time that Fatehpur Beri police station has been in the news for the wrong reasons. Early in May, the Delhi High Court directed the trial court to initiate proceedings against police officers of Fatehpur Beri, who refused to register complaint of a Dalit man alleging abuse and harassment.

Related:

Delhi HC directs action against police under SC/ST Act, for not registering FIR of Dalit man
UP: Family alleges Bulandshahr man was pushed off roof by police
Varanasi: Muslim community attacked, residents decry police’s communal attitude

The post Delhi Police thrash Muslim man who dialled 100 about a fight in vicinity appeared first on SabrangIndia.

]]>