MSHRC Orders Probe Into Pune Police Custodial Torture Claims

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has ordered the registration of an FIR against the Pune Police over allegations of custodial torture, illegal detention, and public parading of children in conflict with law.

The MSHRC's Full Bench, comprising Chairperson Justice A.M. Badar, Justice Swapna Joshi, and member Sanjay Kumar, passed a strongly worded interim order on September 9. The order stated that the commission's fact-finding committee had found evidence of cognizable offences involving Pune Police personnel.

The allegations surfaced after videos appeared on social media, allegedly showing young persons being paraded through Pune, including children tied to the bonnet of a police vehicle. The MSHRC took suo motu cognisance of the matter and conducted an inquiry.

According to the commission, three children in conflict with law were allegedly tied with ropes to the bonnet of a police vehicle on July 21 and publicly paraded from Ambegaon Pathar police outpost to Bharti Vidyapeeth police station. The commission described the treatment as an act of “unadulterated Police terror”, which stripped the children of their dignity and branded them as criminals.

The fact-finding report also recorded allegations that eight children were physically assaulted with batons and bamboo sticks and illegally detained. The three children were allegedly paraded on the bonnet of a moving police vehicle while police made announcements identifying them as accused in the alleged Ganesh Malve murder case.

The MSHRC noted that Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar was aware of the July 21 incident on the same day after the videos circulated on social media. However, the children continued to remain in alleged wrongful detention at Bharti Vidyapeeth police station until late on July 24 without being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.

The commission was critical of the internal action taken by the Pune Police, which included the transfer of Senior Police Inspector Mansingh Patil and Assistant Police Inspector Ganesh Mohite, and the issuance of show-cause notices proposing withholding of two increments for a year. However, the commission observed that the police chief had not treated the episode as warranting criminal action or registration of an FIR.

The MSHRC also criticized the inquiry conducted by DCP Milind Mohite, observing that statements of the children who were allegedly subjected to the treatment had not been recorded, and describing the exercise as one-sided.

The MSHRC has directed that the investigation be entrusted to an officer of the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) or above. The commission's order is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and justice for the alleged victims of custodial torture and child rights violations.

The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of children in conflict with law and the need for greater accountability within the police force. The MSHRC's order is likely to have implications for the Pune Police and the state's human rights machinery.

In conclusion, the MSHRC's order is a welcome step towards addressing the allegations of custodial torture and child rights violations. It is essential that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

The incident highlights the need for greater vigilance and oversight within the police force to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The state government and the police authorities must take concrete steps to ensure that the rights of children in conflict with law are protected and that they are treated with dignity and respect.

The MSHRC's order is a significant development in the case, and it is likely to have far-reaching implications for the police force and the state's human rights machinery. It is essential that the investigation is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, and that justice is served to the alleged victims of custodial torture and child rights violations.