NEW DELHI, APR 10,
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the National Human Rights Commission on April 10 issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and police over the death of a gang rape victim’s father in jail on April 9.
The father of a minor who had accused BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar and others of gang rape had been in custody in Unnao after allegedly being beaten by the MLA’s supporters last week. The police arrested the victim’s father, though both sides had filed complaints.
On April 9, the victim’s father died inside the Unnao jail, leading the victim to allege that the MLA “got her father killed since she was not willing to withdraw the gang-rape complaint” against the legislator, the NHRC statement said.
“The Commission has observed that the allegations, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim family,” the statement said, adding that notices had been sent to the Chief Secretary of U.P. government and the Director-General of Police seeking reports within four weeks.
The NHRC also said it expected the DGP to give an explanation for failing to intimate it of the custodial death within 24 hours, which police forces are supposed to do. The NHRC also asked for all related reports, including the health screening of the deceased at the time of his entry into jail and the medical treatment provided to him. The Chief Secretary was asked to look into the case to make sure the victim’s family is “not subjected to further harassment and humiliation by the opponents who appear to be resourceful persons of the locality”, according to the statement.
