Commission recommends compensation of Rs.15,000/- for victims of police violence in Bihar
The National Human Rights Commission, in an order passed recently, has recommended that the Bihar Government should pay compensation in the amount of Rs.5,000/- to each of three women who were abused and manhandled by a police officer.
The Commission was seized of this incident through a complaint filed by a social activist. He had alleged that the SHO in-charge of Manoharpur, Bihar had entered the house of one Shri Berel Jojo to carry out an attachment proceeding. In the process, he had manhandled, abused and insulted Shri Jojo’s wife and two daughters. Several protests were organised and reports made by the people of the area and local MLAs, but no action was taken against the police officer concerned. Indeed, the police officer claimed to be close to a senior political figure of the State and openly claimed that none could harm him.
The report submitted by the State police department, in response to a notice issued by the Commission, stated that the police officer had forced entry into the house even as the women of the family had tried to restrain him. He then attached the property and prepared the seizure memo. According to the report, the officer had used force and manhandled the women to enter into the house but did not abuse them in any way. The report further stated that the seizure memo was drawn-up on the spot. However, the witness signing the memo did not corroborate the police version that the memo had been signed at the place of attachment. The report of the Bihar Police stated that the errant officer had been asked to report to this headquarters and that departmental proceedings would be initiated against him.
The Commission, on evaluating the report, observed that the search and attachment were forced, and that no effort had been made even to ascertain whether the dwelling in question actually belonged to the person whose property was to be attached. Further, provisions relating to the methods to be employed in dealing with the women of the family, at the time of making entry into the house, had been ignored, despite knowledge of the fact that young women were living therein. The Commission reached the view that the police officer concerned did not observe the rules required to be followed in preparing the seizure memo on the spot and before witnesses. Instead, he took the articles to another place, where the memo was actually drawn up. Admittedly, he also manhandled the women.
In view of this, the Commission recommended monetary compensation to the three women by the Bihar Government. As departmental action has reportedly been initiated against the errant police officer, the Commission has directed the Superintendent of Police of that area to submit a report of the outcome of the departmental enquiry as soon as it is completed and action taken upon it.
Others have had similar problems .….
Albeit some time ago…..
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE
BELFAST POLICE
RELATIVE TO
PERSONS FOUND DRUNK IN THE STREETS
Although a Constable is always to act with firmness, he is never to interfere needlessly.
If a person appear obviously drunk, the constable is to speak mildly, and persuade him to accompany him to the Police Office – if he need assistance, he is to help and protect him.
If, however, he be riotous, and will not accompany him quietly, the constable is to call for sufficient assistance, and convey him as carefully and quietly as possible to the Police Office.
He is not to be struck or ill treated and no abusive language is to be used to him under any circumstances.
THE SAME CONDUCT IS TO BE OBSERVED TOWARDS ALL PERSONS, WHATEVER MAY BE THEIR SITUATION IN LIFE.
The least deviation from the above orders will be visited with the most severe displeasure of the Board.
By order of the
COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE
JOHN GILMER, Clerk
The Commission was seized of this incident through a complaint filed by a social activist. He had alleged that the SHO in-charge of Manoharpur, Bihar had entered the house of one Shri Berel Jojo to carry out an attachment proceeding. In the process, he had manhandled, abused and insulted Shri Jojo’s wife and two daughters. Several protests were organised and reports made by the people of the area and local MLAs, but no action was taken against the police officer concerned. Indeed, the police officer claimed to be close to a senior political figure of the State and openly claimed that none could harm him.
The report submitted by the State police department, in response to a notice issued by the Commission, stated that the police officer had forced entry into the house even as the women of the family had tried to restrain him. He then attached the property and prepared the seizure memo. According to the report, the officer had used force and manhandled the women to enter into the house but did not abuse them in any way. The report further stated that the seizure memo was drawn-up on the spot. However, the witness signing the memo did not corroborate the police version that the memo had been signed at the place of attachment. The report of the Bihar Police stated that the errant officer had been asked to report to this headquarters and that departmental proceedings would be initiated against him.
The Commission, on evaluating the report, observed that the search and attachment were forced, and that no effort had been made even to ascertain whether the dwelling in question actually belonged to the person whose property was to be attached. Further, provisions relating to the methods to be employed in dealing with the women of the family, at the time of making entry into the house, had been ignored, despite knowledge of the fact that young women were living therein. The Commission reached the view that the police officer concerned did not observe the rules required to be followed in preparing the seizure memo on the spot and before witnesses. Instead, he took the articles to another place, where the memo was actually drawn up. Admittedly, he also manhandled the women.
In view of this, the Commission recommended monetary compensation to the three women by the Bihar Government. As departmental action has reportedly been initiated against the errant police officer, the Commission has directed the Superintendent of Police of that area to submit a report of the outcome of the departmental enquiry as soon as it is completed and action taken upon it.
Others have had similar problems .….
Albeit some time ago…..
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE
BELFAST POLICE
RELATIVE TO
PERSONS FOUND DRUNK IN THE STREETS
Although a Constable is always to act with firmness, he is never to interfere needlessly.
If a person appear obviously drunk, the constable is to speak mildly, and persuade him to accompany him to the Police Office – if he need assistance, he is to help and protect him.
If, however, he be riotous, and will not accompany him quietly, the constable is to call for sufficient assistance, and convey him as carefully and quietly as possible to the Police Office.
He is not to be struck or ill treated and no abusive language is to be used to him under any circumstances.
THE SAME CONDUCT IS TO BE OBSERVED TOWARDS ALL PERSONS, WHATEVER MAY BE THEIR SITUATION IN LIFE.
The least deviation from the above orders will be visited with the most severe displeasure of the Board.
By order of the
COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE
JOHN GILMER, Clerk