NHRC notice to the Bihar Government over the reported dumping of the remains of a road accident victim by the police personnel in a canal in Muzaffarpur district

Press Release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 11th October, 2023

NHRC notice to the Bihar Government over the reported dumping of the remains of a road accident victim by the police personnel in a canal in Muzaffarpur district

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports about the dumping of the remains of a road accident victim in a canal by three police personnel in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. Reportedly, the incident came to notice after the video footage of the incident went viral.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. The human rights do not cease to exist with the death of a person. The dead also deserve dignified treatment. Going by the media reports, the police personnel, prima facie, in the instant case seem to have acted beyond civility by violating human values.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. It should also include action taken against the police personnel who were responsible for the dishonouring of a corpse in an inhuman manner and steps taken by the State on the implementation of the NHRC Advisory issued on 14th May, 2021 for upholding the dignity and protecting the rights of the dead. The Advisory contains the necessary protocol to be followed with a humane approach in disposal of the dead bodies including preservation as well as cremation/ burial of the dead bodies in a dignified manner.

According to the media reports, carried on 8th October, 2023, the video shows two policemen dragging the blood-soaked body of an accident victim in a canal in the Fakuli outpost area of Muzaffarpur district, and the third policeman could be seen helping them in the act.

*****