New Delhi 15 February 2006
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of news reports of an undertrial spending nearly 44 years in Jail without trial. The news story was reported in the national dailies dated 13th and 14th Feb 2006.
It has directed that a copy of the news item be sent to the Chief Secretary and DGP, UP for their comments within two weeks.
The media reports stated that Shankar Dayal an under trial prisoners had spent 44 years in jail (including 43 years in an asylum) and his family believed him to be dead.
It was in November last year that the asylum authorities finally wrote to the Unnao Jail authorities that Shankar was fit and could be returned to jail. The Jail authorities did not even bother to respond to the letter sent by the asylum. The news report further quoted sources as saying that the delay occurred as the papers relating to the case of Shankar were untraceable. The Jail officials were also quoted as stating that as soon as the case papers of Shankar are traceable, they will start proceedings to bring him out of the asylum.
The Commission has observed that if the contents of the news reports are true then it constitutes a gross violation of human rights of under trial prisoners.

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