Maharashtra Human Rights Commission Issues Notices Over Custodial Torture

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has issued notices to Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Chilumula Rajnikant, and 10 other police personnel over alleged custodial torture and public humiliation of a 20-year-old accused.

The Commission observed that the Pune Commissioner of Police had failed to submit reports in the case, despite being directed to do so. This failure to file a report implied that he had nothing to say about the allegations and had, prima facie, accepted the complainant's allegations.

The Commission examined two reports of the alleged incident, which were allegedly signed by the DCP, Zone IV, Pune. On examining the reports, the Commission observed that the Commissioner of Police and the concerned DCP had shown negligence in preventing violations of human rights.

According to the Commission, the allegations made by the complainants stated that the victim, Sultan Rehman Shaikh, was taken into custody and paraded from the busy streets of Pune, coupled with custodial torture before the public at large. He was made to squat and seek apology publicly in front of several locals gathered there.

The Commission said that, considering the provisions of Section 16 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the public servants likely to be prejudicially affected by the inquiry must be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard and to produce evidence in their defence.

Notices under Section 16 of the Act were issued to the police officials, including Amitesh Kumar, Chilumula Rajnikant, Ravindra Mansingh Kadam, Shivaji Marotirao Vibhute, and Ravikant Sudhakar Nandanwar.

The Commission's decision to issue notices to the police personnel is a significant step towards ensuring that those responsible for alleged human rights violations are held accountable.

The incident highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency within the police force, particularly in cases where human rights are alleged to have been violated.

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission's actions demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights and ensuring that those responsible for alleged violations are brought to justice.

In conclusion, the issuance of notices by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission is an important development in the case, and it will be closely watched to see how the police personnel respond to the allegations and what further action the Commission takes.