NHRC recommends CBI probe after contradictory reports by CB-CID into an alleged false implication of a journalist by UP police <br>

New Delhi, December 22nd, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that the Director CBI enquire into the alleged false implication of journalist Mr. Sammiuddin alias Neelu by the police of Lakhimpur Kheeri district, Uttar Pradesh in the wake of two contradictory enquiry reports of CB-CID in the matter. The Commission, while recommending for a CBI enquiry, has also sought to know about the conduct of the then SP Lakhimpur Kheeri and other police officers in the case.

The Commission after consideration of material and facts on record, including the first report by the CB-CID dated the 8th March, 2007, had recommended on the 4th Februray, 2010 that Mr. Sammiuddin be paid a monetary relief of Rs. 5 Lakhs as he was victimized by the police officials for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

The report had concluded that there was no independent witness except police officers that Mr.Sammiuddin had in his possession contraband wildlife articles. Departmental action was also taken against the errant police officials in the case for not procuring independent evidence. Now, after the second CB-CID report in contradiction to earlier report in the matter by the same agency, a case was registered against the journalist and the State Government said that it did not find any justification in granting any relief to him as recommended by the Commission.

The Commission has observed that "the matter has gone for a long time." The protracted correspondence carried out with the State authorities and personal interaction with Additional DG (Human Rights) on several occasions "leads to one and only one escapable assumption that a concerted move is on to deny compensation to the victim, Sammiuddin @ Neelu whose human rights have been violated by the UP State."

"It beats comprehension as to why a case registered and investigated by the CB-CID relating to animal skin and nails of tiger etc. allegedly recovered from the victim, Sammiuddin @ Neelu culminated in Final report (FR), but in the subsequent enquiry, the same agency, CB-CID has changed its version and now trying to prove that the case was genuine.

The Commission is of the view that it is a case of alleged false implication by the police of the District Lakhimpur Kheeri, UP. The Complainant claims that he is a respectable citizen of India and a press reporter of newspaper Amar Ujala. He has no criminal history. He alleges that in the absence of independent evidence, the police have falsely implicated him."

The NHRC took the cognizance of the matter after it received a complaint dated 13th July, 2006 from Mr. Sammiuddin alleging his false implication by the state police and attempt to murder in an encounter.
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