Bihar human rights commission slaps Rs 25k fine on home department
2 min readPatna: The Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) on Tuesday slapped Rs 25,000 fine on the state home department in a matter pertaining to the alleged illegal detention of a Buxar resident by a local cop. It also directed the department to fast-track departmental proceedings initiated against the erring officer.
According to a complaint filed with the BHRC by Buxar resident Vivek Kumar on November 18, 2013, a chowkidar of Dhansoi police station (PS) brought a motorcycle belonging to the SHO of the PS for puncture repair. However, when the petitioner asked for Rs 30 as repair charges, the SHO arrested him and also asked for the shop licence. “The petitioner was assaulted in the PS by the SHO and locked in hajat,” BHRC member Neelmani said, adding when the petitioner’s father and uncle rushed to the police station, they were asked to pay Rs 30,000 for his release or else he would be implicated in a false case.
As per the complaint, the petitioner’s father and uncle coughed up Rs 15,000 through the chowkidar and the petitioner was released the same night. “A detailed inquiry report submitted by the Buxar SDPO established assault on the petitioner by the SHO and confinement in the lock-up,” Neelmani said, adding the incident generated strong protest and led to traffic blockade in the area.
The Buxar SP informed the BHRC that the guilty sub-inspector (SI) Mahendra Prasad was immediately removed and sent to the Rohtas police lines and a departmental proceeding was initiated against him.
According to the BHRC, “The defence submitted by SI Prasad does not negate the charge of assaulting the petitioner. Thus, the commission awards a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the petitioner to be paid by the state home department within two months. The compensation amount paid to the petitioner should be recovered from SI Prasad in the manner deemed fit by the department.” The commission also said the departmental proceeding against the then Dhansoi PS SHO should be fast-tracked and a decision taken within four months.
Courtesy: TNN