Notice to Punjab Police on alleged custodial death in Kapurthala
New Delhi, 17 May 2005
The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Punjab Police on the alleged death of a 37-year-old dalit man in police custody on 21 April 2005. A complaint was received from the Asian Centre for Human Rights dated 22 April 2005, drawing the Commission's attention to the death of Balbir Singh, while in the custody of Sardar Police Station, Kapurthala, Punjab. The complainant asked the Commission to direct the State Government of Punjab to:
· Immediately order a judicial probe into Balbir's death while in lock-up in Sardar Police Station.
· Immediately suspend the Officer-in-charge of the concerned police station and the Sub Inspector who had arrested the deceased so as to prevent any attempt of malpractice during the probe.
· Submit the post-mortem report, which should have been conducted in full conformity with the guidelines provided by the NHRC.
· Provide an interim compensation of Rs. 5.00 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
The NHRC while issuing notice to the DGP and SP, Kapurthala Punjab, has also directed that the explanation of the DM/SP Kapurthala may be called for as to why intimation regarding the death of Balbir Singh in the custody of police was not sent to the Commission within 24 hours as per the Commission's guidelines issued on 14 December 1993. It has been given 4 weeks time for a response.
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The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Punjab Police on the alleged death of a 37-year-old dalit man in police custody on 21 April 2005. A complaint was received from the Asian Centre for Human Rights dated 22 April 2005, drawing the Commission's attention to the death of Balbir Singh, while in the custody of Sardar Police Station, Kapurthala, Punjab. The complainant asked the Commission to direct the State Government of Punjab to:
· Immediately order a judicial probe into Balbir's death while in lock-up in Sardar Police Station.
· Immediately suspend the Officer-in-charge of the concerned police station and the Sub Inspector who had arrested the deceased so as to prevent any attempt of malpractice during the probe.
· Submit the post-mortem report, which should have been conducted in full conformity with the guidelines provided by the NHRC.
· Provide an interim compensation of Rs. 5.00 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
The NHRC while issuing notice to the DGP and SP, Kapurthala Punjab, has also directed that the explanation of the DM/SP Kapurthala may be called for as to why intimation regarding the death of Balbir Singh in the custody of police was not sent to the Commission within 24 hours as per the Commission's guidelines issued on 14 December 1993. It has been given 4 weeks time for a response.
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