NHRC notices to DGP, UP and Delhi Police Commissioner over a complaint about the death of a woman victim of alleged sexual assault and police apathy after self-immolation along with a man outside the Supreme Court

New Delhi, 1st September, 2021

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC India, has taken cognizance of a complaint that a woman, victim of alleged sexual assault and police apathy set herself on fire along with a man outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi on 16th August, 2021. Subsequently both died while undergoing treatment in RML Hospital.

The Commission has issued notices to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to submit a detailed report within four weeks in the matter, along with the action initiated against the errant public servants. The DGP, Uttar Pradesh has also been directed to ensure safety and security of the family members of the victims.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has observed that it is shocking how an alleged victim of sexual assault was feeling victimized by the system.

Allegedly, before immolating themselves, they recorded a Facebook live video, wherein the woman said that in June 2019 she had lodged a rape case against an MP from Uttar Pradesh, but the accused police officials were supporting the offender. Allegedly, instead of taking action against the accused MP, the police registered a false case against her and get issued a non-bailable warrant against her.

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