NHRC notice to the Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner over reported death of a man after beating by police (11.02.2019)

New Delhi, 11th February, 2019

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that a fifty year old man died at his home on return from Raj Park Police Station in outer Delhi where he was allegedly beaten mercilessly by police personnel for five hours and was released only when his condition deteriorated. Reportedly, the man had gone to the Police Station along with his son against whom a girl had filed a complaint. Allegedly, instead of listening to the man, the police personnel started beating him mercilessly and later asked his son in injured condition to take him home.

The Commission has observed that the contents of media reports, if true, amount to violation of human rights of the victim. Accordingly, it has issued a notice to the to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi calling for a report in the matter within four weeks along with details of the action taken against the guilty police personnel. The Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi has also been directed to submit a report regarding measures taken to provide relief to the family of the deceased. The response is expected, within four weeks.

The Commission has also observed that the going by the contents of the media reports, it appears that the victim had approached the police authorities along with his son with a good intention. He made a request to the police authorities to counsel/ warn his son but instead of taking a humanitarian view, the police personnel treated him in a cruel manner.

According to the media reports, carried today on 11th February, 2019, the victim remained in police custody from 9:00 AM in the morning till 2:30 PM. He was released in unconscious state. He was taken home by his con in a Rickshaw. When there was no movement in his body, the family members checked him and found that he had died.

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