New Delhi, March 22nd, 2012

The National Human Rights Commission having found out that an injured woman with her leg plastered was dragged holding her hands and legs by police at the Karkardooma Court in Delhi in stead of taking her on a stretcher or a wheel chair has recommended that the Delhi Government pay rupees twenty five thousand to the victim as monetary relief.

Though the Delhi Government has informed that an administrative approval for paying the compensation amount has been given, however the Commission is yet to receive a compliance report along with the proof of payment from the Chief Secretary of NCT of Delhi who was given six weeks time on the 8th February, 2012 to respond.

It may be recalled that taking suo motu cognizance of a media report published on the 14th March, 2011 on the incident, the Commission had issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner while observing that it believes that "upholding the dignity and rights of woman in today's society is of prime importance and the state functionaries have to lead by example in this endeavour. Such acts, if any, should be condemned. Women rights and their dignity should not be compromised under any circumstances. The Commission considers this act of police, if true, as violation of human rights."

Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, a report dated 7th April, 2011 was received from the Additional Commissioner of Police, Vigilance. This report revealed that one Smt. Shabnam was injured in a vehicular accident in the area of police station Khajoori Khas on the 11th March, 2011 and FIR No. 65/11 U/S 279/337 IPC was registered. The injured was taken to the GTB Hospital by the PCR van. She was discharged from the hospital on the same day after treatment. Since there was no one to look after her at Delhi, she was brought to the police station and kept under the supervision of a lady Constable Manju because the local police decided to send her to Nari Niketan.

The report also said that on the 12th March, 2011 ASI Baldev Raj alongwith Lady Constables Nisha and Sudha and Constable Pradeep Kumar went to the GTB Hospital for the medical examination of the injured and after the medical examination she was taken to Karkardooma Courts at about 02.15/ 02.30 p.m. The IO tried to arrange for a wheel chair or stretcher from the Court dispensary, but the same was not available, a claim which was not found to be correct. The injured was restored to her mother Smt. Sanno Begam.

As per the report, a show cause notice for `censure' was issued to ASI Baldev Raj for his misconduct and poor handling. The Commission observed that "by doing so, the police personnel have betrayed their insensitivity and scant respect towards the lady victim and by their inhuman act they have violated her human right of dignity. Consequently, the State is liable to compensate the victim."

Thereafter, on the 22nd June, 2011 a show cause notice was issued to the Delhi Government as to why the Commission should not recommend monetary relief for the victim. Having received no response to this even after a reminder on the 25th August, 2011, the Commission on the 8th February, 2012 concluded that it is assumed that the Government of Delhi is nothing to say against its show cause notice and recommended rupees twenty five thousand as monetary relief to the victim directing the Chief Secretary to submit compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks, deadline for which is already over.


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