Torture In Police Custody: NHRC Directs Appearance Of Rayagada SP

BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has scheduled the personal appearance of Rayagada Superintendent of Police on Friday for non-compliance of its direction over the torture of three tribal school students in police custody.

Earlier, the commission had issued conditional summon to the SP, on January 21, asking it to appear before it; if compliance is not made out on or before 11 March. However, as on today (March 16), the response from concerned authority is awaited at the office of the rights panel.

“Despite sufficient time and opportunity having been given, the requisite reports have not been received. In these circumstances, let summons be issued for the personal appearance of Superintendent of Police, Rayagada, Odisha before the Commission on 18 March along with the requisite reports,” NHRC stated in its conditional summon.

This summon was issued on serious lapse and non-compliance from the authorities concerned while dealing with a case about torture the of three tribal school students in police custody.

This order came upon following a complainant filed by Rights campaigner Subash Mohapatra, who has sought appropriate action against the officials of Chandili Police Station in Rayagada for torture committed on three tribal students identified as Ashok Pedentui, Basant Pedenti and Brajra Kadraka.

“The students were picked up from their school and subjected to inhuman torture in police custody on the mere suspect of theft of a mobile phone. The juveniles were not dealt with as per the provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2000 as amended in 2006”. Mohapatra alleged.

Earlier, a cooked story was presented by police before the apex rights panel, to which the petitioner countered with substantive evidence of torture and violation of the rule of law by police, he said.

“The police officials are engaged in shielding their errant officers by not submitting the report to the commission. The incident occurred on 8th September 2013. But, the Superintendent of Police has not submitted his report as directed by rights panel,” Mohapatra said.