Press Release

Thiruvananthapuram, 9th April, 2015

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that Telengana police have shot dead five under trial alleged to be militants while they were being brought by them to Hyderabad in connection with a court case on the 7th April, 2015. The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Telengana calling for reports within two weeks. It will further take up the matter in its Camp Sitting to be held at Hyderabad on the 23rd April, 2015.

According to media reports, the incident took place when the vehicle carrying the under trials crossed the Warangal district border and reached the outskirts of Tangupuru village in Aler Mandal of Nalgonda district. One of the under trials asked the police to halt the vehicle for a toilet break. While getting back to the van he allegedly snatched an INSAS rifle from a policeman and fired two bullets at a Sub-Inspector sitting in the front row, who ducked and escaped. Sensing danger, other Constables immediately opened fire resulting in the instant death of five under trials.

The Commission has also observed that from the news report, it transpires that at the time of the incident, at least four of the under trials were inside the van duly guarded by the accompanying policemen. Prima facie, it appears that this is an instance of blatant use of disproportionate force resulting in loss of lives of 5 under trials who were in judicial custody and gross violation of human rights.

The matter was brought to the notice of the Commission during its Camp Sitting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

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