New Delhi, June 13th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that a man faked his own murder to put behind bars three persons, including his wife.

According to the media report carried on the 12th June, 2011, one Sohan Lal, a transport agent from Hodal in Haryana suspected his wife of having an illicit affair with another person. In a bid to punish his wife, he, with the help of his business partner, murdered an innocent man resembling his built and height who could be passed of as him. They threw the body in Palwal canal after disfiguring it. Lal also planted his purse carrying PAN card and other IDs on the body to ensure that nobody could doubt that it was not his body.

On the 22nd April, 2011 a decomposed body was recovered from the Palwal canal which identified that of Sohan Lal by his father and brother. Subsequently, two cases were simultaneously lodged against his wife Laxmi and others. She was arrested along with her brother Jal Singh and her alleged lover's father Inder Singh. Her two brothers and her alleged lover Sonu are reportedly absconding. Meanwhile, Sohan Lal eloped with his minor sister-in-law and was apprehended from Okhla in Delhi.

The Commission observed that if the contents of the media report are true then it is an issue of human rights violation of innocent persons who are in jail for a crime which they did not commit.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General Police, Government of Haryana calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks. The DGP is also directed to send a copy of the entire record of the investigation in the case.

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