India Torture Report 2020

National Campaign Against Torture
C-3/441, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058, INDIA

Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uncat.org
Phone:+91-11-25620583
18 March 2021
India: Annual Report on Torture 2020

Table of contents
ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... 3
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................... 6
2. TORTURE BY THE POLICE .................................................................................... 9
2.1. INCIDENTS OF TORTURE AND CUSTODIAL DEATH IN 2020............................................ 9
A. Deaths in police custody ......................................................................................................... 9
B. Suicides as a result of torture .............................................................................................. 50
C. Torture in custody not resulting to death .......................................................................... 58
D. Non-custodial torture ............................................................................................................ 64
2.2. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF DALITS AND TRIBALS ............................................................. 68

2.3. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF WOMEN ..................................................................................... 73
2.4. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF CHILDREN ................................................................................. 76
2.5. Torture, arrest and detention during COVID-19 lockdown .............................................. 79
A. Deaths during enforcement of lockdown ........................................................................... 79
B. Torture, arrest and detention during Covid-19 lockdown ................................................ 84
3. TORTURE IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY .................................................................... 103

3.1. Deaths due to alleged torture ............................................................................................. 104
3.2. Deaths due to denial or lack of medical treatment ......................................................... 110
3.3. Deaths due to alleged suicide in prisons ........................................................................... 123
3.4. Inhuman conditions in the prisons ..................................................................................... 130
4. TORTURE BY THE ARMY AND THE CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES ............. 131
5. TORTURE BY THE FOREST DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ...................................... 133
6. IMPUNITY AGAINST TORTURE & OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS .......... 136
India: Annual Report on Torture 2020 18 March 2021

7. TORTURE BY THE ARMED OPPOSITION GROUPS ............................................ 137
7.1. Abuses by the armed opposition groups in J&K .............................................................. 137
7.2. Abuses by the Naxalites ....................................................................................................... 138
8. TORTURE BY OTHER NON-STATE ACTORS (UPPER CASTES) ........................... 142
8.1. Killings .................................................................................................................................... 143
8.2. Torture, degrading and humiliating treatment ................................................................. 145
8.3. Sexual violence ..................................................................................................................... 148
9. JUDICIAL INTERVENTIONS AGAINST TORTURE............................................... 151
9.1. Supreme Court ruled confession to officers under the NDPS Act inadmissible ........... 152
9.2. Supreme Court ordered installation of CCTV cameras in all interrogation rooms ...... 154
9.3. Judgments Awarding Compensation .................................................................................. 157
9.4. Judgments awarding punishments .................................................................................... 158
9.5. DIRECTIONS FOR PROBE BY INDEPENDENT AGENCIES ............................................... 160
10. INTERVENTIONS OF NHRC/SHRCs AGAINST TORTURE ................................. 174
10.1. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION .................................................................... 174
10.2 STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS .......................................................................... 179
A. Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (TNSHRC) .............................................. 179
B. Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) ........................................................................ 182
C. Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) .......................................................... 182
D. Odisha SHRC ........................................................................................................................ 184
11. SCRUTINY OF INDIA’S RECORDS BY THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS 186
Page 2 of 188


ABBREVIATIONS

AFSPA - Armed Forces Special Power Act

AIIMS - All India Institute of Medical Sciences
AIR – All India Radio
AR – Assam Rifles
ASI - Assistant Sub Inspector
BHRC - Bihar Human Rights Commission
BSF - Border Security Force
BJP - Bharatiya Janata Party
CAA - Citizenship Amendment Act
CB-CID - Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department
CID – Crime Investigation Department
CBI - Central Bureau of Investigation
CFLTC - Covid First Line Treatment Centre
CIA - Crime Investigation Agency
CHC - Community Health Centre
CCTV - Closed-circuit television
CMM - Chief Metropolitan Magistrate
CrPC - Code of Criminal Procedure
CRPF - Central Reserved Police Force
CWC - Child Welfare Committee
DHH - District Headquarters Hospital
DGP - Director General of Police
DCP - Deputy Commissioner of Police
DM - District Magistrate
DSP – Deputy Commissioner of Police
EOW - Economic Offences Wing
ESMA - Essential Services Maintenance Act
FCRA - Foreign Contribution Regulation Act
FIR – First Information Report
GD – General Dairy
GREF - General Reserve Engineer Force
GRP - Government Railway Police
HC – High Court
IED - Improvised Explosive Device
IG – Inspector General
IO - Investigation Officer
IPC - Indian Penal Code
IPS- Indian Police Service
IRBn - Indian Reserve Battalion
ITBP - Indo-Tibetan Border Police
J&K – Jammu and Kashmir
JJ Act - Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act
JJB - Juvenile Justice Board
Page 3 of 188


JE – Judicial enquiry
JFCM - Judicial Magistrate of First Class
LWE - Left Wing Extremism
LCB - Local Crime Branch
KSHRC - Kerala State human rights commission
KRA - Kuki Revolutionary Army
MER – Magisterial Enquiry Report
MLA - Member of Legislative Assembly
MLC - Medico Legal Case
ME – Magisterial enquiry
MHA - Ministry of Home Affairs
NCAT – National Campaign Against Torture
NSCN - National Socialist Council of Nagaland
NDPS - Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
NGO – Non Governmental organisation
NHRC- National Human Rights Commission
NCRB – National Crime Records Bureau
NoK – Next of kin
OC - Officer-in-Charge
OHCHR – Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
OHRC – Odisha Human Rights Commission
PHRA - Protection of Human Rights Act
POCSO - Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
PIL - Public Interest Litigation
PMR – Post Mortem Report
PHC – Primary Health Centre
SC/ST Act - Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
SEB - Special Enforcement Bureau
SF – Security force
SI - Sub Inspector
SIMI - Students’ Islamic Movement of India
S/o – Son of
SHO – Station House Officer
SHRC – State Human Rights Commission
SIT - Special Investigation Team
SSP - Senior Superintendent of Police
SP - Superintendent of Police
SC - Scheduled Caste
SR - Special Rapporteur
SRP - State Reserve Police
ST – Scheduled Tribe
STF - Special Task Force
THRO- Tripura Human Rights Organisation
TNSHRC - Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission
ULFA - United Liberation Front of Assam
UN – United Nations
Page 4 of 188


UNCAT - UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment
VDP - Village Defence Party
WBCPCR - West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Page 5 of 188


1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Throughout 2020, India remained virtually shut because of the lockdowns imposed
to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. From 24 March to 31 May 2020, India was
completely locked down while during the unlock phases from Unlock 1.0 to Unlock 7
i.e. from 1 June to 31 December 2020, India faced various degrees of restrictions
and social distancing to deal with the COVID-19.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in its study on the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on four types of crime: homicide, robbery, theft and burglary
stated that “Reported robbery, theft and burglary declined significantly, falling by
more than 50 per cent in most countries. The decrease was larger in countries with
stricter lockdown regimes.”1
In the initial phase of COVID-19 lockdown, Delhi, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata,

Thiruvananthapuram and Coimbatore reported a 60-90 per cent drop in crimes by 10
April 2020 as compared to 2019 though cases of domestic violence, cybercrime and
violation of lockdown rules were some of the exceptions.2 In 2020, the number of
criminal cases in Bengaluru decreased nearly 20% from 2019 with the number of
murders plummeting from 204 in 2019 to 179 in 2020, robberies from 505 to 375,
chain-snatching cases from 225 to 152 and attempt to murder from 548 to 501.3
Though the crime statistics in Bangalore is not representative of India, there is no
doubt that overall, some of the heinous crimes, which usually cause arrest, detention
and custodial deaths significantly fell significantly because of the restrictions imposed
to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, there has not been any reduction of deaths in police custody despite India
facing various lockdowns. On 17 September 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs
informed the Lok Sabha that 113 persons died in police custody from 1 April 2019 to
31 March 2020.4 The National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT) in this report
recorded deaths of 111 persons in police custody during 2020.

1. Research brief: Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on homicide and
property crime, UNODOC, https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-
analysis/covid/Property_Crime_Brief_2020.pdf
2. Crime, except domestic abuse, drops amid COVID-19 lockdown, The Federal, 10 April
2020, https://thefederal.com/covid-19/covid-19-lockdown-brings-down-crime-rate-
barring-domestic-abuse-cases/
3. Bengaluru: Thanks to Covid, criminal cases dropped 20%, Bangalore Mirror, 8 January
2021, https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/bengaluru-thanks-to-covid-
criminal-cases-dropped-20/articleshow/80163420.cms
4. Reply to Unstarred Question No. 292 before the Lok Sabha on 15 September 2020,
http://164.100.24.220/loksabhaquestions/annex/174/AU292.pdf
Page 6 of 188


The highest number of custodial deaths were reported from Gujarat and Uttar
Pradesh with 11 custodial deaths each; followed by 10 custodial deaths in Madhya
Pradesh; nine in West Bengal, eight in Tamil Nadu; six each in Odisha, Punjab and
Rajasthan; four each in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra; three each in
Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka; two each in
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Uttarakhand; and one each in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh,
Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram, Telangana and Tripura.
Out of the 111 deaths in police custody in 2020 documented by the NCAT, 51
victims died due to alleged torture, 35 died in alleged suicide, eight died due to
suspected foul play, five due to alleged sudden illness, two while attempting to flee,
while others died due to various reasons.
In India, custodial deaths have become synonymous with suicide as victims commit
suicide to escape torture as well as humiliation including in front of family members.
In 2020, the NCAT recorded 55 deaths by suicide as a result of police torture i.e.
more than one suicide because of torture in police custody. The maximum number
of cases of suicide as a result of torture were reported from Uttar Pradesh with nine
cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh with seven cases and Madhya Pradesh with four
cases.
The NCAT further recorded the deaths of 18 victims as a result of torture and
beating by the police while enforcing the COVID 19 lockdown from 25 March to 31
May 2020.
Apart from the police, the Forest Department officials were also responsible for
perpetrating torture. The NCAT documented at least three deaths at the hands of
Forest Department officials in 2020 including Maniram Gond in Madhya Pradesh on
19 July 2020,5 70-year-old Anaikarai Muthu in Tamil Nadu on 23 July 20206 and
Balabhadra Behera in Odisha on 13 October 2020.7
The NCAT documented a number of cases of torture including deaths of Dalit and
tribal people in police custody during 2020.
Torture of women in custody and custodial rape of women including two minors and
victim of a gang rape who had approached the police were reported.

5. Tribal dies in Madhya Pradesh, family members allege harassment by forest officer, The
Hindustan Times, 20 July 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tribal-dies-
in-madhya-pradesh-family-members-allege-harassment-by-forest-officer/story-
obbDOl54Vd0A6agjv2fkVO.html
6. TN farmer custodial death: HC orders re-postmortem on wife’s plea, The News Minute, 30
July 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-farmer-custodial-death-hc-orders-
re-postmortem-wife-s-plea-129707
7. NHRC Case No. 3043/18/28/2020
Page 7 of 188


Illegal detention and torture of children in gross violations of the Juvenile Justice
(Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 were reported while the NCAT
documented the death of four children due to torture in police custody. The NCAT
also documented two cases of death of minors due to alleged torture in juvenile
homes.
In 2020, the NHRC also recorded 1,569 deaths in judicial custody across the country.
The NCAT recorded at least 18 deaths in prison custody as a result of torture, 51
cases of deaths due to alleged denial of timely and appropriate medical treatment to
the prisoners and 34 cases of suicide in prisons. Prison conditions remain torturous.
As per the latest report of the NCRB, as of 31 December 2019 there were 4,78,600
prisoners against the total capacity of 4,03,739 prisoners in India’s 1,350 jails
indicating overcrowding of 118.5%. Among the States, Delhi reported the highest
overcrowding with 174.9% followed by Uttar Pradesh (167.9%), Uttarakhand
(159%), Chhattisgarh (153.3%), Uttarakhand (150%), Meghalaya (157.4%),
Madhya Pradesh (155.3%), Sikkim (153.8%), Maharashtra (152.7%) and
Chhattisgarh (150.1%).8
In armed conflict situations, the armed forces consisting of the Indian Army and the
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have the power to take persons into custody
and there were reports of torture and sexual violence at the hands of the armed
forces during 2020.
The armed oppositions groups in Jammu and Kashmir and the Naxalites were also
responsible for a number of cases of torture and extrajudicial executions.
The Dalits and the tribals faced killing, torture, degrading and humiliating treatment
and sexual violence. The “Crime in India” published by the Government of India
recorded 45,935 crimes against Scheduled Caste or Dalits and 8,257
crimes/atrocities against Scheduled Tribes during 2019.9 The Hathras gang rape
case in which on 14 September 2020, a 20-year-old Dalit girl was gang-raped by
four upper caste men at a village in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh exemplified the
atrocities on Dalits. The victim died in a Delhi hospital after fighting for her life for
two weeks but her dead body was forcibly cremated by the police without the
consent of her family. The Uttar Pradesh government alleged international
conspiracy to malign the State government but on 18 December 2020, the Central
Bureau of Investigation submitted its charge sheet confirming that the Dalit victim

8. See Chapter 1 (Prisons – Types and Occupancy), Prison Statistics India 2019
9. Nation Crime Records Bureau’s “Crime in India 2019”; TABLE 7C.1 - Crime/Atrocities
against Scheduled Tribes (STs) – 2017-2019:
https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/CII%202019%20Volume%202.pdf
Page 8 of 188


was gang raped and tortured by the four accused men, eventually leading to her
death.10
The Supreme Court delivered two significant judgements ruling in Toofan Singh vs
State of Tamil Nadu11 that confession to officers under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) inadmissible as evidence thereby applying
the safeguards against torture while further directing the installation of CCTV
cameras in all interrogation rooms in Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit Singh case.
India has been severely criticised by the United Nations human rights experts
including for excessive use of force on protestors against the Citizenship Amendment
Act (CAA), 2019, the detention of human rights defenders “simply because they
exercised their right to denounce and protest against the CAA, alarming human
rights situation including detention of protestors during the COVID-19 pandemic and
internet restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir while the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights expressed concerns at the tightening of space for human rights NGOs
in particular, including by the application of vaguely worded laws that constrain
NGOs' activities and restrict foreign funding through the Foreign Contribution
Regulation (Amendment) Act of September 2020.
2. TORTURE BY THE POLICE
2.1. INCIDENTS OF TORTURE AND CUSTODIAL DEATH IN 2020
A. Deaths in police custody
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) registered a total of 90 deaths in

police custody from January to December 2020. These included 11 deaths in
January, five deaths in February, 11 deaths in March, six deaths in April, three
deaths in May, five deaths in June, 11 deaths in July, 12 deaths in August, four
deaths in September, eight deaths in October, eight deaths in November and six
deaths in December.12

10. H CBI Says Hathras Victim Was Gang-Raped, Killed, NDTV, 18 December 2020,
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-case-four-charged-for-gang-rape-and-
murder-says-lawyer-of-accused-2340431
11. Criminal Appeal No.152 of 2013,
https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2012/26682/26682_2012_33_1501_24551_Judgeme
nt_29-Oct-2020.pdf
12. Information received by Tejang Chakma under Right to Information Act from NHRC vide
Letter No.NHRC/RTI/21/32 dated 2 February 2020
Page 9 of 188


However, the NCAT documented deaths of 111 persons in police custody across the
country in 2020 as per Table 1 given below. The highest number of custodial
deaths were reported from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh with 11 custodial death each;
followed by 10 custodial deaths in Madhya Pradesh; nine in West Bengal, eight in
Tamil Nadu; six each in Odisha, Punjab and Rajasthan; four each in Andhra
Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra; three each in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana,
Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka; two each in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Uttarakhand; and one each in Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Mizoram,
Telangana and Tripura.
Out of the 111 deaths in police custody in 2020 documented in this report, 51
persons died due to alleged torture, 35 persons died in alleged suicide, eight persons
died due to suspected foul play, five due to alleged sudden illness, two while
attempting to flee, while others died due to various reasons.
Table 1: Deaths in police custody recorded by NCAT during 2020
Sl Name States Reason for Date of

No. death death
1 Salim Khan Karnataka Alleged torture 5.1.2020
2 Sushanta Ghosh Tripura Alleged suicide 12.1.2020
3 Ramprasad Barui West Bengal Alleged torture 13.1.2020
4 Babul Sheikh West Bengal Alleged torture 17.1.2020
5 Narendra Nayak Chhattisgarh Alleged foul play 18.1.2020
6 Gopal Pachori Madhya Pradesh Alleged foul play 28.1.2020
7 Thangboi Louvum Manipur Alleged foul play 28.1.2020
8 K Mahendiran Tamil Nadu Alleged suicide 1.2.2020
9 Amrik Singh Himachal Pradesh Alleged torture 3.2.2020
10 Raj Kumar Sau West Bengal Alleged torture 10.2.2020
11 Chirag Chauhan Gujarat Alleged torture 13.2.2020
(17)
12 Sambasiva Rao Andhra Pradesh Alleged torture 16.2.2020
13 Devendra Uttar Pradesh Alleged torture 18.2.2020
Kushwaha
14 Vivek Kumar Verma Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 21.2.2020
15 Sidhu Koda Bihar Alleged sudden 23.2.2020
illness
16 Jigar Ramanbhai Gujarat Alleged suicide 24.2.2020
Solanki (17)
17 Bodhu Birari Maharashtra Alleged suicide 25.2.2020
18 Bechan Rai West Bengal Alleged torture 26.2.2020
19 Deepak Shukla Punjab Alleged torture 27.2.2020
20 Jeetu Khateek Rajasthan Alleged torture 27.2.2020
21 Avtar Singh Gill Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 1.3.2020
22 Sitar Singh Uttar Pradesh Alleged torture 10.3.2020
Page 10 of 188


23 Vimal Kumar Gujarat Alleged denial of 11.3.2020
medical care
24 Daljeet Singh Punjab Alleged sudden 17.3.2020
illness
25 Dinesh Modi Gujarat Alleged torture 17.3.2020
26 Imran Shaikh Gujarat Alleged sudden 20.3.2020
illness
27 Anil Kumar Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 20.3.2020
28 Vikram Kumar Bihar Alleged suicide 24.3.2020
29 Dinesh Rajasthan Alleged suicide 1.4.2020
30 Vijay Mandal Jharkhand Alleged suicide 7.4.2020
31 Munipillappa Karnataka Alleged torture 10.4.2020
32 Rupesh Doliya Gujarat Alleged suicide 4.5.2020
33 Vinu Parmar Gujarat Alleged suicide 4.5.2020
34 Indal Singh Madhya Pradesh Alleged torture 15.5.2020
35 Ganesh Laxman Maharashtra Not known 21.5.2020
Dhagle
36 Srilam Rangaiah Telangana Alleged suicide 26.5.2020
37 Pravinbhai Gujarat Not known 27.5.2020
38 Baljeet Haryana Alleged foul play 30.5.2020
39 Soban Singh Uttarakhand Alleged torture 30.5.2020
40 21-year-old youth Haryana Alleged suicide 4.6.2020
41 Mithai Lal Uttar Pradesh Alleged attack by 13.6.2020
fellow inmate in
custody
42 Mahendran Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 13.6.2020
43 Rinku Haryana Alleged suicide 14.6.2020
44 Jayanta Bora Assam Alleged torture 14.6.2020
45 P Jeyaraj and J Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 22-23.6.2020
Benniks
46 Kumaresan Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 27.6.2020
47 Pradeep Bhil Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 7.7.2020
48 Vipul Nataverbhai Gujarat Alleged suicide 9.7.2020
Chauhan
49 Dilbar Hussian Arunachal Alleged suicide 11.7.2020
Pradesh
50 Santosh Kumar Odisha Alleged accident 13.7.2020
Pandu
51 Navdeep Singh Punjab Alleged torture 18.7.2020
52 Sauvik Gorai West Bengal Alleged suicide 21.7.2020
53 Yaricharla Kiran Andhra Pradesh Alleged torture 22.7.2020
Kumar
54 Rajesh Meena Rajasthan Alleged torture 25.7.2020
55 Thakur Singh Jharkhand Alleged torture 26.7.2020
56 Narayan Ladia Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 2.8.2020
Page 11 of 188


57 Chandrabhan Singh Madhya Pradesh Alleged jumping 2.8.2020
Gurjar from running
vehicle
58 Beerbal Singh Punjab Alleged torture 7.8.2020
59 Ansari Kerala Alleged suicide 16.8.2020
60 Kalapala Krupakar Andhra Pradesh Alleged torture 28.8.2020
61 Gopalram Paswan Odisha Alleged suicide 29.8.2020
62 Monu alias Mohit Uttar Pradesh Alleged torture 29.8.2020
63 Prabhat Kumar Odisha Alleged foul play 30.8.2020
Singh
64 Anup Roy West Bengal Alleged torture 2.9.2020
65 Wajid Ali Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 4.9.2020
66 Balwan Mahto Jharkhand Alleged suicide 5.9.2020
67 Nageshwar Rai Bihar Alleged torture 6.9.2020
68 Akhilesh Dixit Uttarakhand Alleged foul play 12.9.2020
69 Irfan Ahmad Dar Jammu & Kashmir Alleged torture 16.9.2020
70 Sohail Shaikh Maharashtra Alleged torture 16.9.2020
71 K Ramesh Tamil Nadu Alleged suicide 17.9.2020
72 Mirajul Islam West Bengal Not known 17.9.2020
73 T Selvan Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 17.9.2020
74 Dharmendra Delhi Alleged suicide 20.9.2020
75 C Manikandan Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 22.9.2020
76 Samsher Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 23.9.2020
77 Abdul Kadar Shaikh Gujarat Alleged foul play 27.9.2020
78 Rajpati Kushwaha Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 28.9.2020
79 Dovari Ajay Andhra Pradesh Alleged torture 1.10.2020
80 Marulasiddappa Karnataka Alleged torture 6.10.2020
81 Mohan Marathe Maharashtra Not known 7.10.2020
82 Rahul Madhya Pradesh Alleged torture 8.10.2020
83 Prakash Gorai Jharkhand Alleged torture 9.10.2020
84 Madan Ghoroi West Bengal Alleged torture 9.10.2020
85 Rahul @ Monu Madhya Pradesh Not known 18.10.2020
Vishwakarma
86 Asutosh Pathak Bihar Alleged torture 25.10.2020
87 Dharambir Delhi Alleged torture 25.10.2020
88 Ashwani Manikpuri Chhattisgarh Alleged suicide 28.10.2020
89 15-year-old Dalit West Bengal Alleged suicide 30.10.2020
boy
90 Intazul Laskar Mizoram Not known 2.11.2020
91 Zamrood Ahmad Jammu & Kashmir Alleged suicide 4.11.2020
Gojri
92 M Selvamurugan Tamil Nadu Alleged torture 4.11.2020
93 Sonu Bansal Madhya Pradesh Alleged torture 8.11.2020
94 Harji Kanjar Rajasthan Alleged torture 9.11.2020
95 Suraj Pandey Uttar Pradesh Alleged torture 12.11.2020
Page 12 of 188


96 Mesar Delhi Alleged torture 12.11.2020
97 K Arya Odisha Alleged torture 18.11.2020
98 Tarique Salim Odisha Alleged torture 18.11.2020
99 Ranjit Mandal Bihar Alleged suicide 18.11.2020
100 K Ramesh Odisha Alleged torture 19.11.2020
101 Bharot Sautal Assam Alleged suicide 20.11.2020
102 Surajbhai @ Gujarat Not known 22.11.2020
Sureshbhai
Supdubhai More
103 Kuldeep Kumar Jammu & Kashmir Alleged sudden 23.11.2020
illness
104 Punam Katlam Chhattisgarh Alleged torture 24.11.2020
105 Vidyaram Yadav Uttar Pradesh Alleged torture 6.12.2020
106 Lipak Nyorak Arunachal Alleged suicide 10.12.2020
Pradesh
107 Pritam Singh Punjab Alleged suicide 11.12.2020
108 Somdutt Uttar Pradesh Alleged foul play 12.12.2020
109 Lalaram Garasiya Rajasthan Alleged torture 16.12.2020
110 Aarif Sheikh Rajasthan Allegedly fell 17.12.2020
down from
terrace in a bid
to escape from
custody
111 Paramjit Singh Punjab Alleged sudden 24.12.2020
illness
Case 1: Death of Salim Khan due to alleged torture, Karnataka
On 5 January 2020, Salim Khan, a car dealer, died due to alleged torture at
Bagalgunte police station in Bangalore in Karnataka. His family members alleged that
Salim and his friend Giri were kept in police custody at Bagalkunte police station and
tortured. The police claimed that they found an unconscious man was lying outside
SLN Bar in Bagalkunte and circulated the picture of the man to all police stations in
Bengaluru North limits to determine the identity of the man. On 8 January 2020, the
Nandini Layout Police Sub Inspector (SI) Srinivas called Salim’s brother Malik Khan
and asked him to visit the police station. But family members stated that the police
had already known Salim’s name and therefore the medical register at Saptagiri
Hospital had mentioned his name as Salim who was brought dead.13
Case 2: Alleged suicide of Sushanta Ghosh due to alleged torture, Tripura
On 12 January 2020, Sushanta Ghosh (38 years), S/o Shri Parimal Ghosh of
Lankamura village in West District of Tripura, died in police custody at West Agartala
Police Station in West Tripura district. The cyber crime branch of Tripura Police

13. ‘The State of Torture in Uttarakhand’, ACHR, January 2020
Page 13 of 188


arrested the deceased from his residence the previous night based on interrogation
of four Turkish cybercriminals who were arrested in November 2019 for ATM
skimming in Agartala. He was produced before the court which sent him to two-day
police remand. Police claimed that he was found hanging inside the toilet of the
police station in the evening of 12 January. However, Tripura Human Rights
Organisation (THRO), a local human rights organisation, alleged Ghosh’s death was
a case of custodial torture. The family members of the deceased also alleged that
Ghosh died due to custodial torture and they lodged a formal complaint alleging that
he was tortured to death by the police in custody. State Chief Minister Biplab Kumar
Deb ordered a magisterial inquiry into the custodial death.14
Case 3: Death of Ramprasad Barui due to alleged torture, West Bengal
On 13 January 2020, Ramprasad Barui (75 years) died due to alleged torture in
custody at Dinhata police station in Cooch Behar district in the state of West Bengal.
The victim, an activist of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and resident of Khalisha
Gosanimari under Dinhata police station area, was arrested along with six others by
police on 31 December 2019 in connection with an alleged attack on the car of a
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of All India Trinamool Congress. He was
remanded to 14 days police custody by the court on 1 January 2020. Police claimed
that on 9 January 2020 the deceased’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he
was admitted to Dinhata Mahakuma hospital. He was referred to the Cooch Behar
Medical College and Hospital on 12 January 2020 where he died on the next day.
However, the deceased’s wife Pratima Barui alleged that her husband’s health was
absolutely fine and questioned his sudden death. The BJP leaders alleged that he
was tortured in police custody, which led to his death.15
Case 4: Death of Babul Sheikh due to alleged torture, West Bengal
On 17 January 2020, Babul Sheikh (50 years) died due to alleged torture in the
custody of Baisnabnagar police station in Malda district, West Bengal. The victim, a
resident of Jainpur area in the district, was arrested on 16 January 2020 in
connection with an alleged case of selling of ganja and detained overnight at the
police station. Police claimed the deceased died due to heart attack in the hospital,
but not in the lock up. However, the family members alleged that police arrested the
deceased without any reason and implicated him in a false case, and he died as a
result of torture in police custody.16
Case 5: Suspicious death of Narendra Nayak, Chhattisgarh
On 18 January 2020, Narendra Nayak (40 years), S/o Bhagwat Nayak of Bhanpuri
under Khamtarai police station in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh, died in police

14. Ibid
15. Ibid
16. Ibid
Page 14 of 188


custody of Siltara police Chowki under Dharsinwa police station in Raipur district.
According to the police, in the morning of 17 January 2020 Narendra Nayak was
caught stealing from a liquor shop, following which he was beaten up and he also
tried to jump from the terrace of shop, resulting in injuries in his body. Later, he was
taken to Siltara police Chowki by the Chhattisgarh Emergency Service Team (Dial
112). Police claimed that when they saw the injuries, he was taken for Medico Legal
Case (MLC) and thereafter he was taken to the court. But, his condition deteriorated
on the way. He was taken to hospital where the doctors declared him dead.
However, it was alleged that Narendra Nayak was taken to Siltara police Chowki on
17 January 2020 but his MLC was done only on 18 January.17
Case 6: Suspicious death of Gopal Pachori during illegal detention, Madhya

Pradesh
On 28 January 2020, Gopal Pachori (22 years), S/o Kamlesh Kumar Pachori, died
under suspicious circumstances at Kishanganj police station in Indore district,
Madhya Pradesh. Gopal was arrested on 23 January 2020 for allegedly stabbing his
uncle Jaiprakash Mishra with a knife and was detained at the police station. Police
claimed that the deceased committed suicide inside the police station by using a
piece of cloth from his blanket on 28 January 2020. He was reportedly taken to a
nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. However, Kamlesh Kumar
Pachori, father of the deceased, alleged that his son had been kept in illegal police
custody since 23 January without producing him before the court within 24 as
required under the law. Kamlesh Kumar Pachori further alleged that he was not
allowed to meet his son at the police station and the family members were suddenly
informed about his alleged suicide on 28 January.18
Case 7: Suspicious death of Thangboi Louvum, Manipur
On 28 January 2020, Thangboi Louvum, an alleged member of the Kuki

Revolutionary Army (KRA), an armed group operating in Manipur, allegedly died in
police custody at Kangpokpi police station in Kangpokpi district in the state of
Manipur. Thangboi Louvum was arrested by troops of 38th Assam Rifles (AR) on 25
January 2020 near Toribari area and handed over to the Kangpokpi police station.
He was found dead in police custody on the morning of 28 January. The local civil
society organisations demanded punishment of the police personnel involved in the
alleged custodial death of the KRA cadre. They also demanded a judicial enquiry into
the case, besides compensation to the three children of the deceased. Following the
incident, three police personnel were suspended.19

17. See https://www.naidunia.com/chhattisgarh/raipur-youth-arrested-in-police-custody-
for-theft-in-liquor-shop-5241024 & NHRC Case No. 54/33/14/2020-PCD
19. Protests erupt over ‘custodial death’ of arrested militant, The Northeast Today, 29
January 2020, https://archive.northeasttoday.in/protests-erupt-over-custodial-death-of-
arrested-militant/
Page 15 of 188


Case 8: Alleged suicide of K Mahendiran, a Dalit, Tamil Nadu
On 1 February 2020, a Dalit farmer identified as K Mahendiran (55 years) died under
mysterious circumstances at Gudiyattam taluk police station in Vellore district, Tamil
Nadu. The deceased was taken into police custody on 31 January 2020 for
interrogation along with his two sons in connection with a cheating case. The police
claimed that the deceased was found hanging inside the police station on 1
February. However, the family members of the deceased rejected the police claim
and they suspected foul play.20
Case 9: Death of Amrik Singh due to alleged torture, Himachal Pradesh
On 3 February 2020, Amrik Singh (49 years), S/o Dharam Singh died due to alleged
torture in police custody at Baddi police station in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh.
The deceased, a resident of Bhatolikalan village in the district, was arrested by the
police on 28 January 2020 and was remanded to police custody for four days in
connection with a wood smuggling case. He was later sent to judicial custody by a
court on 1 February. According to the police, the deceased was admitted to the Post
Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh the same day
owing to his poor health, where he died on 3 February. Police claimed that the
deceased had a history of high blood pressure and died in the hospital due to a brain
haemorrhage. However, the family members of the deceased alleged that the
deceased died due to torture in police custody from 28-31 January. Deceased’s
father, Dharam Singh alleged that his son was in good health at the time of his
arrest on 28 January and the police demanded bribe even to meet his son in police
custody.21
Case 10: Death of Raj Kumar Sau due to alleged torture, West Bengal
On 10 February 2020, Raj Kumar Sau (53 years), a shop keeper, died due to alleged
torture at Sinthi police station in North Suburban division of Kolkata in West Bengal.
The deceased, a resident of Kolkata, was arrested by police at around 11.30 am on
10 February in connection with a case of theft and detained at the police station.
Police claimed Raj Kumar was brought to the police station for questioning based on
the statement of a woman who had allegedly sold stolen items to the accused. Police
claimed that Raj Kumar suffered a cardiac arrest during interrogation and at around
6 pm on 10 February he suddenly fell unconscious and was immediately taken to the
nearest government hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. However, the
family members of the deceased alleged that he was framed in the theft case and
tortured during interrogation, which led to his death at the police station.22

20. NHRC Case No. 1607/22/53/2020-ad
21. Complaint dated 06.02.2020 filed by Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC
22. NHRC Case No. 545/25/5/2020-AD
Page 16 of 188


Case 11: Death of a minor Chirag Chauhan due to alleged torture, Gujarat
On 13 February 2020, a 17-year old minor identified as Chirag Chauhan, S/o Mukesh
Chauhan died due to alleged torture in police custody at Mehsana Civil Hospital in
Mehsana district of Gujarat. The victim was arrested and detained by police on 12
February 2020 from Naroda in Ahmedabad after he escaped from zonal observation
home in Mehsana on 4 February 2020. The victim was in detention since 2
December 2019 in connection with cases of murder and robbery. Amit Limchiya,
Superintendent of the Observation Home in Mehsana claimed that the deceased’s
health deteriorated around 10.30 pm after he was handed over to the police on 12
February. He said the deceased was reportedly rushed to Mehsana Civil Hospital
where he died at about 3 am on the next day. The deceased’s father alleged that his
son was assaulted in police custody which led to his death. The deceased’s father
also alleged that there were injury marks on the body of his son and that his left
arm was broken and there were torture marks on the back.23
Case 12: Death of Sambasiva Rao due to alleged torture, Andhra Pradesh
On 16 February 2020, Sambasiva Rao died at Magalagiri police station in Guntur

district, Andhra Pradesh. In a complaint to the NHRC, the deceased’s son Venigalla
Pavan Kumar alleged that his father was tortured to death at the police station. The
doctor stated that Sambasiva Rao was already dead when he was brought before
him. The complainant stated that the FIR was registered but he apprehended cover
up by police.24
Case 13: Death of Devendra Kushwaha due to alleged torture during

illegal detention, Uttar Pradesh
On 18 February 2020, Devendra Kushwaha (35 years), S/o Kadore died due to
alleged torture at Sadar Chowki police station in Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police, the victim, a resident of Narahat village in the district, was
arrested along with two others on 16 February 2020 in a case of abduction of a
minor girl and was detained at Sadar Chowki police station. The police further
claimed that on 18 February the deceased's health suddenly deteriorated after which
he was taken to the district hospital where he died on the same day. However, the
family members alleged Devendra was arrested on 13 February 2020 (and not on 16
February as claimed by the police) and subjected to extreme torture in illegal police
custody to extract confessions, which resulted in his death. They stated to have
found many injury marks on his body.25

24. NHRC Case No. 1116/1/6/2020-PCD
25. Complaint dated 09.02.2020 filed with Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC
Page 17 of 188


Case 14: Alleged suicide of Vivek Kumar Verma due to torture, Uttar
Pradesh
On 21 February 2020, Vivek Kumar Verma (20 years) died due to alleged torture at
Hyderabad police station in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, a
resident of Raipur village in the district, was detained by the police on 17 February
2020 under Section 498 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was allegedly detained
at the police station illegally without producing before a court until his death. Police
claimed the deceased committed suicide outside the Hyderabad police station by
hanging from a tree. However, the family members accused the police personnel of
murder. The deceased's elder brother Sandeep Verma claimed that his brother called
him from a mobile number in the morning of 21 February asking him to visit the
police station immediately, and when he reached the police station within two hours,
he was told by the police that his brother had committed suicide. The family
members demanded registration of FIR against the accused police personnel for
murder.26
Case 15: Death of Sidhu Koda in police custody, Bihar
On 23 February 2020, Sidhu Koda, a Maoist who was allegedly involved in the killing
of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi’s son in 2007, died in police
custody in Jamui district, Bihar. Koda was arrested from Dumka district in Jharkhand
a day earlier in a joint operation of the Jharkhand Police and Special Task Force
(STF) of Bihar Police. Police claimed that Koda complained of chest pain during a
recovery operation in Jamui, following which he was taken to hospital where he was
declared dead.27
Case 16: Alleged suicide of 17-year-old Jigar Ramanbhai Solanki, a Dalit

due to alleged torture, Gujarat
On 24 February 2020, a 17-year-old Dalit identified as Jigar Ramanbhai Solanki died

due to alleged torture at Kagdapith police station in Ahmedabad of Gujarat. The
deceased, a resident of Ahmedabad city, was detained at Kagdapith police station
under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) after allegedly getting
involved in a scuffle with a resident of Hiralal Chawl in the Raipur area of
Ahmadabad. The police claimed that the deceased was “19 or 20 years” old and on
24 February he committed suicide by hanging himself with a shawl provided to him
for the night, from the top bar of the lockup gate. However, the deceased’s family
members rejected the police theory and alleged that the deceased was tortured to
death in police custody. The family members also claimed that the deceased was a
minor, aged 17 years, who was born on 20 May 2002. The family members further

26. NHRC Case No. 7064-24-46-2020-AD
27. See Maoist involved in killing of ex-Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi’s son dies in police
custody, Hindustan Times, 23 February 2020 & NHRC Case No. 643/4/14/2020-PCD
Page 18 of 188


alleged that the deceased was first thrashed near the house and beaten up inside
the police station.28
Case 17: Alleged suicide of Bodhu Birari due to alleged torture,

Maharashtra
On 25 February 2020, Bodhu Birari (40 years) died due to alleged torture in police
custody of Gadkari Chowk under Mumbai Naka police station in Nashik district of
Maharashtra. According to the Police, the deceased, a jeweler by profession and
resident of Nasik city, was detained by the Hyderabad police team on 26 February
2020 and kept him at a state-run rest house in Gadkari Chowk in Nashik to take him
to Telangana in connection with a theft case related to Telangana's capital
Hyderabad. The police claimed that on 25 February the deceased committed suicide
by jumping from the fourth floor of the rest house of Nashik, where he was
detained. However, the family members of the deceased rejected the suicide claim
of the police and alleged that Bodhu Birari died due to torture in police custody.29
Case 18: Death of Bechan Rai due to alleged torture, West Bengal
On 26 February 2020, Bechan Rai (50 years) died due to alleged torture at Matigara
police station in Siliguri district, West Bengal. The deceased was arrested from
Thakkar area of Matigara in connection with alleged selling of illicit liquor. Police
claimed that a few hours after detention the health of the deceased suddenly
deteriorated and he was taken to the Matigara Block Hospital, where he died.
However, the deceased's son Rahul Rai alleged that his father died due to torture in
police custody. The deceased's family also stated that Bechan Rai was in good health
at the time of arrest on 26 February and they were informed in the evening about
his death in hospital.30
Case 19: Death of Deepak Shukla due to alleged torture, Punjab
On 27 February 2020, Deepak Shukla (26 years), S/o Vinod Shukla of Ahemdgarh
(Mandi) in Sangrur district of Punjab, died at Ludhiana Central Jail where he was
sent from police custody. Deepak was allegedly tortured at Kochar market police
post in Ludhiana following his arrest by police on 22 February 2020 in connection
with alleged trades in stolen cars and motorcycles. Preeti, wife of the deceased
alleged that the police arrested her husband on 15 February 2020 and he was
tortured for seven days during police custody at Kochar market police post. On 22
February, her husband was sent to two-day police remand. On 25 February, Deepak
was sent to judicial custody. The next day the deceased's health deteriorated and
died in jail on 27 February. Vinod Shukla, the deceased's father stated that on 26
February he met his son in the jail and saw him limping and unable to walk. During

29. NHRC Case No. 417-13-19-2020-ad
30. NHRC Case No. 550-25-21-2020-pcd
Page 19 of 188


the meeting, his son told him police had beaten him badly in their custody. On 27
February, the deceased's father received a call from the jail informing him about
Deepak’s death.31
Case 20: Death of Dalit Jeetu Khateek due to alleged torture, Rajasthan
On 27 February 2020, Jeetu Khateek (22 years), a Dalit, died due to alleged torture
at Barmer Rural police station in Barmer district, Rajasthan. The deceased, a scrap
dealer, was arrested by police from his shop on 26 February 2020 evening for
interrogation in connection with a theft case and was detained at Banner Rural
Police Station. The next day (27 February) Jeetu was found dead inside the lockup
room of the police station. The family members alleged Jeetu died due to torture.
The family also alleged that the police had arrested him illegally as there was no
case registered against him. They also claimed that he was in good health at the
time of arrest on 26 February.32
Case 21: Alleged suicide of Avtar Singh Gill, Madhya Pradesh
On 1 March 2020, Avtar Singh Gill, S/o Saheb Singh died under mysterious
circumstances at Bilpank police station in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh. The
deceased, who run a dhaba (roadside restaurant) on Indore-Neemuch Highway, was
arrested by police on the charge of possessing opium in the night of 29 February
2020. Police claimed that Avtar Singh Gill committed suicide by using his turban in
the lock-up of the police station. The NHRC called for detailed reports from
authorites after it received intimation of the custodial death from the SP, Ratlam
district.33
Case 22: Death of Sitar Singh due to alleged torture, Uttar Pradesh
On 10 March 2020, Sitar Singh (24 years) died due to alleged torture at Sarsawa
police station in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, a resident of
Kumhar Heda Village in the district, was arrested in connection with a theft case and
sent to judicial custody at Saharanpur district jail on 2 March 2020. Jail officials
claimed that on 10 March the deceased's health suddenly deteriorated, after which
he was taken to the Saharanpur district hospital. Later, he was referred to the
Meerut Medical College hospital where he died during treatment. The family
members alleged that Sitar Singh was given third degree torture during police
custody before he was sent to judicial custody, which resulted in his death.
According to the family, Sitar Singh was given third degree torture by Ashok Solanki,

31. NHRC Case No. 255/19/10/2020-JCD
32. NHRC Case No. 593/20/4/2020-AD
33. See https://www.naidunia.com/madhya-pradesh/ratlam-accused-of-opium-smuggling-
suicide-in-ratlams-bilpank-police-station-5371607 & NHRC Case No. 786/12/35/2020-
PCD
Page 20 of 188


In-Charge of Sarsawa police station along with other police personnel. The family
also accused the jail authorities of not providing timely and proper medical
treatment.34
Case 23: Death of Vimal Kumar in police custody, Gujarat
On 11 March 2020, Vimal Kumar (22 years), S/o Tribhuvan Prasad Yadav of 458,
Balaji Nagar, Pandesara, Surat, Gujarat, died in police custody at Pandesara police
station in Surat district. Vimal Kumar, his father Tribhuvan Prasad Yadav and brother
Vinay Kumar were arrested by the police at 10.30 PM on 10 March 2020 for
preventive action under sections 107 and 151 of CrPC by the police following a
quarrel with a neighbour. Both the parties were taken to the police station and
detained. On the next morning at about 8.20 am, the health of Vimal Kumar, who
was an asthma patient, deteriorated. He was taken to hospital where he was
declared dead at 8.45 am. The family members alleged the police were responsible
for his death. According to them, Vimal Kumar had no role in the dispute but was
illegally taken to the police station. They also informed the police that Vimal Kumar
was an asthma patient and they asked them to provide him an inhaler to him, which
was not provided. As a result, his condition deteriorated in the lock-up but he was
not taken to hospital for treatment. The police denied the allegations. The NHRC
called for detailed report from authorites after it received intimation of the custodial
death from the Commissioner of Police, Surat district.35
Case 24: Suspicious death of Daljeet Singh in police custody, Punjab
On 17 March 2020, Daljeet Singh (50 years), S/o Kulwant Singh died under
mysterious circumstances in custod of Maqsudan police station in Jalandhar district,
Punjab. The deceased, a resident of Prime Enclave in the district, was detained by
the police on the same day after a police complaint was filed against him by the
Prime Enclave Welfare Society for quarrelling. Police claimed that Daljeet Singh’s
health suddenly deteriorated in police custody, following which he was taken to a
private hospital where the doctors declared him dead.36
Case 25: Death of Dinesh Modi due to alleged torture, Gujarat
On 17 March 2020, Dinesh Modi @ Dipak Modi (49 years) died due to alleged torture
at Varachha police station in Surat district, Gujarat. The deceased, a snack seller,
was picked up by police on 17 March from A K Road on suspicion of his involvement
in gambling. Police claimed that Dinesh Modi died due to epileptic seizures. They
claimed that at around 1.30 pm on 17 March 2020 he suffered a fit in the police
station lock-up and he was taken to the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical

35. See https://www.patrika.com/surat-news/asthma-patient-dies-in-police-custody-at-
pandesarea-surat-5882013/ & NHRC Case No. 238/6/23/2020-PCD
36. NHRC Case No. 252/19/8/2020-AD
Page 21 of 188


Education and Research hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead at
around 2 pm on the same day. However, the deceased's family accused the police
personnel of murder. The family members alleged that the deceased was tortured in
police custody leading to his death. The deceased's son Karan alleged that police
had asked Rs 500 for the release of his father.37
Case 26: Death of Imran Shaikh in police custody, Gujarat
On 20 March 2020, Imran @ Ibrahim Shaikh (39 years) died in custody of

Government Railway Police (GRP) station up attached to Surat Railway Station in
Surat district, Gujarat. Imran, a resident of Bagampura area in the district, was
arrested on 19 March 2020 at round 9 am along with one Altaf by Local Crime
Branch (LCB) police in connection with an alleged involvement in a mobile phone
theft case at Surat Railway Station. After arresting them, the police produced them
before the court and kept them in the lockup room at Government Railway Police
(GRP) station, Surat where Imran died on 20 March under mysterious circumstances.
Police claimed Imran had epilepsy fit and was taken to the hospital, where he died.38
Case 27: Alleged suicide of Anil Kumar due to alleged torture, Uttar
Pradesh
On 20 March 2020, Anil Kumar @ Parvat Singh (35 years), S/o Shriram Auraiya died
due to alleged torture at Tirwa Kotwali police station in Kannauj district, Uttar
Pradesh. The deceased, an assistant teacher at a government school in Sempur
village in Auraiya district, was detained by police in the night of 19 March 2020
following a complaint filed by his in-laws for allegedly creating ruckus during his visit
to his in-laws place in Sukhapurwa village of Kannauj district. Police claimed that in
the morning of 20 March Anil Kumar was found hanging in the toilet of Tirwa Kotwali
police station. Later, he was taken to the Tirwa Medical College and hospital where
he was declared dead. The family members alleged that the deceased was tortured
in the police custody which led to his death.39
Case 28: Alleged suicide of Vikram Kumar in police custody, Bihar
On 24 March 2020, Vikram Kumar (21 years) died under suspicious circumstances at
Birpur police station in Begusarai district, Bihar. The deceased, a resident of Parra
village in the district, was an accused in a case of elopement with a 17-year-old girl
from his village. On 23 March 2020, Vikram and the girl were traced at New Delhi
and they were brought to Birpur police station, Begusarai for interrogation after the
girl’s father filed a kidnapping case against him. On 24 March, Vikram allegedly
committed suicide inside the Birpur police station. Police claimed that on 24 March
evening the deceased committed suicide by hanging himself from the ceiling fan of a

37. NHRC Case No. 280/6/23/2020-PCD
38. NHRC Case No. 312/6/23/2020-AD
39. NHRC Case No. 7119-24-42-2020-ad
Page 22 of 188


room inside the police station soon after he came to know that the girl had recorded
her statement in the court against him. However, the deceased’s family rejected the
police’s claim and suspected foul play in the death.40
Case 29: Suicide of Dinesh at Ratangarh police station, Rajasthan
On 1 April 2020, a man identified as Dinesh died in police custody under suspicious
circumstances in Churu district of Rajasthan. Police claimed that the deceased, who
was detained in a case of theft, allegedly hanged himself with a piece of cloth in the
toilet of Ratangarh police station. Following the incident one head constable, who is
the investigating officer of the case, and three constables were suspended while 26
other staffers of the police station were shifted to police lines.41
Case 30: Alleged suicide of Vijay Mandal due to alleged torture, Jharkhand
On 7 April 2020, Vijay Mandal (22 years) died due to alleged torture at Rajmahal
police station in Sahebganj district, Jharkhand. The deceased, a resident of
Pathalchati area in the district, was arrested by police on 6 April 2020 evening in
connection with a case of elopement with a minor girl. The next day, he was found
dead inside the police station. Police claimed that on 7 April evening Vijay committed
suicide by hanging himself with his shirt inside the police station. However, the
family members alleged that Vijay was tortured in the lock-up, resulting in his
death.42
Case 31: Death of Munipillappa, a Dalit due to alleged torture, Karnataka
On 10 April 2020, a Dalit identified as Munipillappa @ Muni Kulla (50 years) died due
to alleged torture at Thirumalashettyhalli police station in Bangalore Rural district,
Karnataka. The deceased, a resident of Naduvatti village under Hoskote circle in the
district, was arrested on 7 April 2020 for allegedly stealing wine from a shop at
Niduvatti village near Hoskote. After arrest, the police took him to
Thirumalashettyhalli police station where the deceased died on 10 April. Police
claimed that on 10 April evening, the deceased was taken to the location where he
had hidden the liquor and he jumped to death into a dry well. However, the
deceased’s wife Dhanalakshmi alleged that on 7 April the police came to their house
and questioned her husband. On 10 April, again the police came and took her
husband and detained him at Thirumalashettyhalli police station, where he was

40. NHRC Case No. 920/4/4/2020-AD
41.4 cops suspended 26 shifted to police lines after custodial death in Rajasthan, The Week,
4 April 2020; https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2019/02/07/nrg5-rj-
custodial-death.html
42. NHRC Case No. 379/34/17/2020-PCD
Page 23 of 188


subjected to brutal beating, resulting in his death. Thereafter, the deceased’s body
was dumped in a dry well to project it a case of suicide.43
Case 32: Alleged suicide Rupesh Doliya by sefl-inflicting injuries, Gujarat
On 4 May 2020, Rupesh Doliya (35 years) died at Naroda police station in
Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. Rupesh was brought to the police station after police
received a message that he was creating a ruckus in Naroda GIDC area. Police
claimed Rupesh was made to sit on a table inside the police station but he suddenly
ran towards the cabin of Inspector Jaydeep Patel and rammed his head into the
glass door, as a result he sustained serious injuries on his head and armpit. He was
shifted to hospital but died due to excessive bleeding. Police also claimed that the
entire incident was recorded in the closed circuit footage (CCTV) footage. The NHRC
intervened into the matter based on information provided by the Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad and directed the concerned authories to submit
the necessary reports for its examination.44
Case 33: Alleged suicide of Vinu Parmar, Gujarat
On 4 May 2020, Vinu Parmar (58 years) died under mysterious circumstances at
Rajkot Taluka police station in Rajkot district, Gujarat. Vinu Parmar, a resident of
Bhimnagar area in the district, was first arrested by the police on 29 February 2020
in connection with a case of molestation of a minor girl. He was released on bail in
April 2020 but he was re-arrested on 4 May pursuant to a complaint filed by his wife
accusing him of domestic violence. On the midnight of 4 May, Vinu Parmar was
found dead inside the police station lock-up. Police claimed that he committed
suicide by hanging himself in the police lockup.45
Case 34: Death of Indal Singh due to alleged torture, Madhya Pradesh
On 15 May 2020, Indal Singh (26 years) died due to torture in custody of Malanpur
police station in Bhind district, Madhya Pradesh. Police arrested Indal Singh from his
house on 15 May in connection with a murder case. He died within few hours of his
arrest. Police claimed that on 15 April while being taken to the police station the
deceased jumped off from the moving vehicle and sustained head injuries and later
he succumbed to the injuries. However, the family members alleged that Indal Singh
was tortured by the police resulting in his death in custody. The police personnel
accused for the custodial torture were identified as Inspector Ashok Gautam, and

43. NHRC Case No. 197/10/30/2020-ad
44. CCTV footage saves Naroda cops from blame of custodial death, The Times of India, 5
May 2020 at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/cctv-footage-saves-
naroda-cops-from-blame-of-custodial-death/articleshow/75543042.cms & NHRC Case No.
690/6/1/2020-PCD
45. NHRC Case No. 343/6/2112020-ad
Page 24 of 188


constables Dhyanendra Kushwaha, Umesh Sharma and Yogendra Gurjar of Malanpur
police station.46
Case 35: Death of Ganesh Laxman Dhagle in police custody, Maharashtra
On 21 May 2020, Ganesh Laxman Dhagle (35 years) died at Anjmal police chowki in
Nashik district, Maharashtra. Based on information received from the Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Zone-1, Nashik regarding the custodial death, the NHRC
directed the DM/District Collector, Nashik and the SP, Nashik to submit detailed
reports, which included among others, copy of complaint and FIR registered against
the deceased, copy of arrest memo, copy of MLC of the deceased, Inquest Report,
PMR and MER.47
Case 36: Alleged suicide of Srilam Rangaiah, Telangana
On 26 May 2020, Srilam Rangaiah (55 years) died under mysterious circumstances
at Manthani police station in Peddapalli district of Telangana. The deceased, a
resident of Ramaiahpalli village under Ramagiri mandal in the district, was arrested
on 26 May on the charges of hunting wild animals and a case was registered under
the Wildlife Protection Act against him with the Manthani Police. According to the
police, Srilam Rangaiah told the police in the morning that he wanted to attend the
nature’s call and had gone to the toilet, where he committed suicide by using a
scarf.48
Case 37: Death of Pravinbhai in police custody, Gujarat
On 27 May 2020, Pravinbhai (33 years), S/o Narvatbhai died at Godhra Town A
Division police station in Panchmahal district, Gujarat. Based on information received
from the State authorities, the NHRC intervened into the matter and directed the
District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Panchmahal district to submit
detailed reports, among others, copy of MLC of the deceased, copies of all relevant
GD extracts, PMR and MER.49
Case 38: Suspicious death of Baljeet, Haryana
On 30 May 2020, Baljeet (28 years) died in police custody in Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar
district of Haryana. The deceased, a resident of Sagwan village in Bhiwani district,
was arrested by police on 30 May under Sections 376, 120B and 506 IPC. After
being produced before the court, the deceased died on the same day (30 May) in
police custody while being taken to the Dulina jail in Jajjar district. Police claimed

46. NHRC Case No. 1051/12/7/2020-ad
47. NHRC Case No. 1001/13/19/2020-PCD
48. NHRC Case No. 709/36/24/2020-AD
49. NHRC Case No. 585/6/18/2020-PCD
Page 25 of 188


that Baljeet died in an accident. However, the family members blamed the police for
the custodial death and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter.50
Case 39: Death of Soban Singh due to alleged torture, Uttarakhand
On 30 May 2020, Soban Singh (38 years) died due to alleged torture in custody of
the Revenue Police in Almora district in the state of Uttarakhand. The deceased, a
resident of Palyu village under Dhaulcheena block in the district, was arrested by the
Revenue Police on 30 May after his wife lodged a complaint of assault and domestic
violence. After few hours of his arrest, he died in the custody of Revenue Police in
Dhaulcheena. Police claimed that on 30 May night, Soban Singh’s health condition
deteriorated and he was taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at
Dhaulacheena where he died. However, the deceased’s family members alleged he
was tortured to death in custody as there were multiple injury marks on the body.51
Case 40: Alleged suicide of a 21-year-old youth, Haryana
On 4 June 2020, a 21-year-old youth died under suspicious circumstances at Crime

Investigation Agency (CIA)-II police station in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. The
deceased, a resident of Murad Nagar village under Ladwa Tehsil in the district, was
arrested by the police on 3 June 2020 in connection with a theft case. After arrest,
the youth was detained in the lockup at Kurukshetra CIA-II police station where he
died the next day. Police claimed that on 4 June the youth committed suicide by
hanging himself from a grill of the lock-up of CIA-II police station.52
Case 41: Death of Mithai Lal in police custody, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 June 2020, Mithai Lal (50 years) died under suspicious circumstances at
Raniganj Police Station in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, a
resident of Amarpur village in the district, was arrested along with his younger
brother Sewa Lal by police in the morning of 13 June in connection with a land
dispute between two brothers. He died in the evening of the same day. Police
claimed Mithai Lal was attacked by another man inside the police lockup room. He
was taken to a government hospital in Pratapgarh, where doctors referred him to
Prayagraj but he succumbed to the injuries.53
Case 42: Death of Mahendran after brutal torture at Sathankulam police

station, Tamil Nadu
On 13 June 2020, Mahendran (28 years), a mason, succumbed to his injuries at
Thoothukudi government hospital after being brutally tortured for two days i.e. on
23 and 24 May at Sathankulam police station in Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu.

50. NHRC Case No. 1109/7/7/2020-AD
51. NHRC Case No. 448/35/1/2020-PCD
52. NHRC Case No. 990/7, 11/2020-AD/
53. NHRC Case No. 11936/24/59/2020-AD
Page 26 of 188


He was taken into custody on May 23 after his brother Durai, a suspect in a murder
case, went missing. In a petition before the Madras High Court, the deceased’s
mother S Vadivu stated that following torture on May 23 and 24 at Sathankulam
police station, her son was bedridden, and suffered a stroke in the days that
followed and finally died on 13 June. She accused Sub-Inspector Raghu Ganesh of
Sathankulam police station as one of the key accused in the custodial torture of her
son. She further stated that the accused police officer told the family after death of
the deceased to refuse post mortem on her son’s body and threatened them with
many more false cases. On 21 July, the State Government of Tamil Nadu submitted
before the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court that the custodial death of
Mahendran was handed over to Crime Branch – Crime Investigation Department of
the state police.54
Case 43: Alleged suicide of Rinku, Haryana
On 14 June 2020, Rinku (40 years) died under suspicious circumstances at CIA-I
police station in Ambala district, Haryana. Rinku, a resident of Chhota Shivala,
Kaccha Bazaar in Ambala Cantonment in the district, was arrested on 13 June 2020
under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He was kept in
the lockup at the CIA-I police station where he died the next day. Police claimed that
Rinku committed suicide by hanging himself from a grill of the lock-up of the CIA-I
police station at about 3.30 am on 14 June.55
Case 44: Alleged tortured to death of Jayanta Bora, Assam
On the night of 14 June 2020, Jayanta Bora (30 years), a resident of Kakodonga
village in Jorhat district of Asssam, was picked up by a joint team of Indian Army
and state police during a counter-insurgency operation. According to Jorhat district
officials, a team of 244th Field Regiment of the army based in neighbouring
Charaideo district and police personnel of Borholla police station in Jorhat carried out
the search operation based on information about the presence of United Liberation
Front of Assam-Independent (ULFA-I) and NSCN-IM cadres in the area. During the
operation, Bora, whose father is an ex-serviceman, was picked up from his residence
on suspicion of being an ULFA-I cadre. Bora was first taken to the Borholla police
station where the army reported that “the person was feeling uneasy”. Thereafter,
first he was taken to the local health centre and from there to the Jorhat Medical
College Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. The district authorities
ordered a magisterial inquiry into the custodial death. Alleging torture by army and

54. Tamil Nadu: CB-CID takes over another case of custodial torture, death in Thoothukudi,
Indianexpress, 22 July 2020; https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tamil-nadu-cb-cid-
takes-over-another-case-of-custodial-torture-death-in-thoothukudi-6517155/
55. NHRC Case No. 1038/7/1/2020-AD
Page 27 of 188


police as the cause of Bora’s death, residents of the village refused to accept the
body.56
Case 45: Tortured to death of P Jeyaraj and J Benniks, Tamil Nadu
In the evening of 19 June 2020, P Jeyaraj and his son, J Benniks were arrested by
police and subjected to third degree custodial torture at Sathankulam police station
in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Following the torture, the father-son duo
succumbed to their injuries and died on the intervening night of 22 and 23 June. The
custodial torture and death of the father-son duo triggered a nationwide outrage,
following which the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI). On 7 July, the CBI registered two cases related to the custodial deaths and it
filed a chargesheet against nine police officials who were posted at the police station
where the alleged torture took place. The police personnel include an
inspector/Station House Officer (SHO), two Sub-Inspectors (SIs), two head
constables and four constables. One more accused, then a SI, died during the
investigation. In August 2020, the CBI had told the Madras High Court that the
father-son duo died after suffering multiple injuries due to torture in police
custody.57
Case 46: Death of Kumaresan due to alleged torture, Tamil Nadu
On 27 June 2020, Kumaresan (25 years) died due to alleged torture at

Veerakeralampudur police station in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu. On 8 May 2020,
Kumaresan, an auto driver by profession and resident of VK Pudur town in the
district, was summoned along with his father Navaneethakrishnan at the police
station in connection with a case. Navaneethakrishnan alleged that his son was
brutally beaten by SI Chandrasekar and another constable whom he identified as
Kumar in front of him during enquiry at the police station. They were let go with a
strong warning to not to reveal the custodial torture. Again on 10 May, SI
Chandrasekar allegedly picked up Kumaresan from an auto stand. The SI released
Kumaresan but took away his mobile phone, following which Kumaresan had gone
to the police station to get it back. At the police station, Kumaresan was mercilessly
beaten up by Chandrasekar and Kumar and sent home threatening that he would be
booked under the Goondas Act if he disclosed the police beatings to anyone. His
health deteriorated and he started vomiting blood and was admitted to a local
hospital on 10 June, from where he was shifted to the government hospital in
Tirvuneleli on 13 June. According to Navaneethakrishnan, Kumaresan told the doctor

56. Assam man picked up during counter-insurgency operation dies in custody; probe
ordered, Hindustan Times, 17 June 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-
news/assam-man-picked-up-during-counter-insurgency-operation-dies-in-custody-
probe-ordered/story-reU6bD6oe3PyxkHuA83H7M.html
57. CBI files chargesheet against 9 cops in Tamil Nadu custodial torture and death case, India
Today, 26 September 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cbi-files-chargesheet-
against-9-cops-in-tamil-nadu-custodial-torture-and-death-case-1725717-2020-09-26
Page 28 of 188


that the sub-inspector (Chandrasekar) made him sit on the floor and stamped him
on his chest and his genitals at the same time. Then, the constable (Kumar)
punched his back violently.58
Case 47: Alleged suicide of Pradeep Bhil, a tribal, due to alleged torture,
Madhya Pradesh
On 7 July 2020, a tribal identified as Pradeep Bhil, S/o Nanuram Bhil, died under
suspicious circumstances at Rajghar police station in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
Pradeep, who was already married, eloped with a girl. On 6 July 2020, the police
brought Pradeep along with the girl to the police from Indore district. Pradeep was
kept in the police station. On the next morning, Pradeep was found hanging from a
Neem tree inside the police station premises. Police claimed that Pradeep committed
suicide. However, the family members alleged that he was tortured to death by the
police. Based on an intimation received from the Superintendent of Police, Dhar
district, the NHRC directed the DM and SP, Dhar district to send detail reports,
including copy of MLC of the deceased, copies of all relevant GD extracts, Inquest
Report, PMR and MER.59
Case 48: Alleged suicide of Vipul Nataverbhai Chauhan in police custody,

Gujarat
On 9 July 2020, Vipul Nataverbhai Chauhan (27 years) died at Balasinor police
station in Mahisagar district, Gujarat. According to information submitted to the
NHRC by the state authorities, Vipul was arrested and brought to the police station
in pursuance of a case registered under sections 306, 498A and 114 of the IPC and
the Dowry Prohibition Act. It was stated that the accused was not formally arrested
due to pending medical checkup in view of direction issued in the backdrop of
COVID-19 pandemic. Police claimed that the accused committed suicide using the
window grill of the bathroom with the white cloth kept by him as a ritual after the
cremation of his wife who allegedly committed suicide earlier by jumping in the well
due to some marital discord leading to registration of case by his in-laws against him
for alleged abetment of her suicide. On the basis of the information, the NHRC
directed the DM and the SP, Mahisagar district to submit detailed reports relating to
the custodial death.60

58. NHRC Case No. 5921/22/37/2020
59. See https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/madhya-pradesh-chhattisgarh/dhar-youth-
committed-suicide-in-rajgarh-police-station-4-policemen-suspended/707370 & NHRC
Case No. 1711/12/15/2020-PCD
60. NHRC Case No. 602/6/35/2020-PCD
Page 29 of 188


Case 49: Alleged suicide of 17-year-old boy in police custody, Arunachal
Pradesh
On 11 July 2020, a minor boy identified as Dilbar Hussian (about 17 years) died at
Tezu police station in Lohit district in state of Arunachal Pradesh. The minor, working
in a garage in Tezu, was a resident of Karimganj district of Assam. He was arrested
in the evening of 10 July 2020 after a case was registered against him in connection
with a case of kidnapping and illegal confinement of a minor girl. Police claimed the
Dilbar Hussain committed suicide inside the police station in the morning of 11 July.
However, the family members alleged he was tortured to death in the police station
and the police projected the death as suicide. The family members stated that Dilbar
Hussian was a minor and he was kept in illegal custody at the police station.61
Case 50: Death of Santosh Kumar Pandu in police custody, Odisha
On 13 July 2020, Santosh Kumar Pandu, S/o Late Gangadhar Pandu, died in police
custody in Rayagada district, Odisha. Santosh was arrested on charges of raping a
minor girl on 12 July 2020 night. After medical examination, he was brought to
Rayagada Town police station to forward him to a court. Police claimed that Santosh
escaped from custody but accidentally fell under a bulk container truck. He was
taken to hospital where he died.62
Case 51: Death of Navdeep Singh due to alleged torture, Punjab
On 18 July 2020, 32-year-old Navdeep Singh died due to alleged torture at

Harchowal police station in Gurdaspur district, Punjab. Navdeep, a resident of
Dhapai village in the district, was arrested by police for allegedly making illicit liquor
and detained at Harchowal police station on 16 July 2020. Police claimed that on 18
July the deceased felt unconscious while he was being produced before the court.
Thereafter, he was taken to the civil hospital where he was declared brought dead.
However, the family members alleged that Navdeep was tortured to death in police
custody. The deceased’s wife, Balwinder Kaur also alleged that there was delay in
providing medical attention after her husband became unconscious. She stated that
when she visited the police station, she saw a medical practitioner giving him some
spurious injections. She requested the police personnel to take her husband to the
hospital immediately, but they did not listen to her request.63

61. NHRC Case No. 30/2/11/2020-AD
62. See Rape Accused Run Over By Truck After Running From Police Station In Rayagada, 13
July 2020, https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/rape-accused-run-over-by-truck-
after-running-from-police-station-in-rayagada & NHRC Case No. 2240/18/32/2020-PCD
63. Complaint dated 20.07.2020 filed by Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC (Case No.
440/19/6/2020-AD)
Page 30 of 188


Case 52: Alleged suicide of Sauvik Gorai due to alleged torture, West
Bengal
On 21 July 2020, Sauvik Gorai (22 years), S/o Nadugopal Gorai died due to alleged
torture at Lokpur police station in Birbhum district, West Bengal. Sauvik Gorai was a
migrant labourer who returned from Gujarat during the COVID-19 lockdown to his
home at Rupaspur village in Birbhum district. He was arrested by police and
detained at Lokpur police station on 20 July 2020 in connection with a complaint of
theft of a bicycle filed by a local shopkeeper. Police claimed Sauvik Gorai was found
hanging in the police station on 21 July. However, the family members alleged
Sauvik Gorai was arrested over a false complaint of theft and he was tortured to
death in custody.64
Case 53: Death of Dalit Yaricharla Kiran Kumar due to alleged torture,
Andhra Pradesh
On 22 July 2020, a Dalit youth identified as Yaricharla Kiran Kumar (27 years) died
due to alleged torture in custody of Chirala town in Prakasam district in the state of
Andhra Pradesh. The deceased, a resident of Thomaspeta in Chirala town in the
district, was arrested along with his friend Shini Abraham on 18 July 2020 by police
for not wearing mask from the Kothapet check-post in Chirala II Town. Police
claimed that after arrest they were being taken to the police station in a police
vehicle when Yaricharla Kiran Kumar jumped out of the running vehicle. As a result,
he sustained head injuries and was taken to hospital, where he died on 22 July
during treatment. However, the family members refuted the police claim and alleged
that Yaricharla Kiran Kumar died due to injuries sustained due to torture in police
custody.65
Case 54: Death of tribal Rajesh Meena due to alleged torture, Rajasthan
On 25 July 2020, a tribal identified as Rajesh Meena (28 years) died due to alleged
torture in police custody of Khanpur police station in Jhalawar district, Rajasthan.
The deceased, a resident of Raigarh Basti of Khanpur city in the district, was
arrested and detained at Khanpur police station on 25 July under the Arms Act.
Police claimed that on 25 July Rajesh’s health suddenly deteriorated and fell down in
the premises of the police station, after which he was taken to a nearby hospital
where he died on the same day. However, the family members refuted the police
claim and alleged that Rajesh was tortured in police custody which led to his death.
Family members protested over the incident and demanded registration of a murder
case against the accused police personnel.66

64. NHRC Case No. 1054/25/3/2020-ad
65. NHRC Case No. 1491/1/6/2020
1139/20/17/2020-AD)
Page 31 of 188


Case 55: Death of Thakur Singh due to alleged torture, Jharkhand
On 26 July 2020, Thakur Singh (30 years) died due to alleged torture in custody of
Kasmar police station in Bokaro district, Jharkhand. Thakur, a tea seller and resident
of Rangamati Chowk of Durgapur Panchayat in the district, was arrested and
detained at Kasmar police station in the evening of 22 July 2020 in connection with
an alleged selling of liquor. Police claimed Thakur’s health suddenly deteriorated
after his arrest on 22 July after which he was taken to Bokaro General Hospital.
Later, he was referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) where he
died during treatment on 26 July. The family members refuted the police claim and
alleged that Thakur was tortured in police custody which led to his death. The
deceased’s wife alleged that her husband was implicated in a false case. She claimed
that her husband was not selling liquor for which he was arrested by police. The
family members also claimed that Thakur was absolutely fine at the time of his
arrest.67
Case 56: Alleged suicide of Narayan Ladia due to alleged torture, Madhya
Pradesh
On 2 August 2020, Narayan Ladia (21 years) died due to alleged torture at Barman
Chowki (police post) under Suatala Police station in Narsinghpur district, Madhya
Pradesh. Narayan, a resident of Pithehara Bandhi village in the district, was picked
up few days earlier and was detained at Barman police Chowki along with his father
Amar Ladia and mother Uma Bai Ladia for questioning in connection with a murder
and kidnapping case. Police claimed Narayan consumed toxic substances while in
detention at Barman police chowki, after which he was taken to a private hospital in
Jabalpur where he died in the morning of 2 August. However, the family members
alleged that the deceased was tortured in police custody and forced to drink
poisonous thing, after which his condition deteriorated leading to his death.68 On 19
August, the NHRC directed the DM, Narsinghpur, the DM, Jabalpur, and the SP,
Jabalpur to submit the relevant reports regarding the custodial death.69
Case 57: Suspicious death of Chandrabhan Singh Gurjar, Madhya Pradesh
On 2 August 2020, Chandrabhan Singh Gurjar (27 years) died under mysterious
circumstances in police custody in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Gurjar, a
resident of Rajpur village in the district, was picked up along with some people by
the police on 2 August on charges of stealing a goat. Police claimed that on 2 August
Gurjar jumped from a running police vehicle to escape while he and others were

732/34/1/2020-AD)
68. Complaint dated 3 August 2020 filed by Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC (Case
No. 1584/12/30/2020-AD)
69. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 19.8.2020 in Case No. 1584/12/30/2020-AD
Page 32 of 188


being brought to the police station and suffered head injuries. He was taken to the
district hospital where he was declared dead.70
Case 58: Death of Beerbal Singh due to alleged torture, Punjab
On 7 August 2020, Beerbal Singh (32 years) died due to alleged torture in custody of
Patran police station in Patiala district, Punjab. The deceased, a resident of Bhutgarh
village of Patran Tehsil in Patiala district, was arrested on 3 August 2020 by the
police in connection with a liquor smuggling case. Later, he was remanded to police
custody by the court. Police claimed that in the midnight of 6 August the deceased’s
health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to a nearest hospital from
where he was referred to Rajindra Hospital Patiala where he died on the following
night. Alleging custodial torture, the family members along with the villagers held a
protest in the premises of the police station.71
Case 59: Alleged suicide of Ansari, Kerala
On 16 August 2020, Ansari (38 years) died due to alleged torture at Fort police
station in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Ansari, a resident of Karimadom
colony in the district, was arrested by police on 16 August at around 5.30 pm in
connection with a theft case. He died within few hours of his arrest at the police
station. Police claimed that on 16 August Ansari was taken to the Fort police station
and in the evening he was kept in the Child Friendly Janamaithry police centre where
he was allegedly found hanging by his ‘dhoti’ (cloth draped below the waist by
males).72
Case 60: Death of Kalapala Krupakar due to alleged torture, Andhra

Pradesh
On 28 August 2020, Kalapala Krupakar (32 years) died due to alleged torture in the
custody of Gudivada rural police station in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
Kalapala, a resident of Valivartipadu village in the district, was arrested on 28 August
evening along with six others for allegedly running a gambling racket. After arrest,
the police took them to the Gudivada rural police station, where he died within a few
hours. Police claimed Kalapala complained of breathlessness and was taken to a

1576/12/44/2020-AD)
532/19/15/2020-AD)
340/11/12/2020-AD)
Page 33 of 188


hospital, where he died of heart attack. However, the family members alleged that
the deceased was tortured in the lockup, resulting in his death.73
Case 61: Alleged suicide of Gopalram Paswan due to alleged torture,

Odisha
On 29 August 2020, Gopalram Paswan (48 years) died due to alleged torture at
Jeypure Sadar police station in Koraput district, Odisha. He was arrested on 28
August 2020 and kept at Jeypure Sadar police station for allegedly transporting
ganja (cannabis/marijuana) in a truck from Malkangiri district to Rajasthan. Police
claimed that on 29 August Paswan committed suicide inside the police station by
hanging himself from the ceiling fan with the blanket. However, the deceased’s
family alleged that Paswan was tortured in police custody, which led to his death.74
Case 62: Death of Dalit Monu due to alleged torture during illegal
detention, Uttar Pradesh
On 29 August 2020, a Dalit identified as Monu alias Mohit (19 years) died due to
alleged torture at Lalganj Police Station in Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh. The
deceased, a resident of Poore Baiju village in the district, was picked up along with
his brother Sonu by police on 26 August in connection with the theft of a bike. Police
claimed that on 27 August Monu’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was
taken to the district hospital where he died on 29 August. Monu was in illegal
detention as he was not produced before the court. Deceased’s brother Sonu alleged
that on 26 August he and his brother were tortured after being taken to the police
station and on 28 August he was released but his brother Mohit was kept in the
police station where he was tortured to death. The family members and the villagers
protested over the incident and demanded strict action against the accused police
personnel.75
Case 63: Suspicious death of Prabhat Kumar Singh, Odisha
On 30 August 2020, Prabhat Kumar Singh died under mysterious circumstances in

custody of Baideswar police station in Cuttuck rural district, Odisha. As per
information received by the NHRC from the Collector, Cuttuck, Chandra Sekhar Jena
Officer In-Charge of Baideswar police station, Cuttack Rural District and Deputy
Superintendent of Police (DSP) had entered the house of Prabhat Kumar Singh,
assaulted him and taken him with them on 28 August 2020, produced before the
court on 30 August, but in the mean time he fell sick and shifted to hospital, where
he was declared dead by the doctor. It was also informed that the wife of deceased

73. Man held for gambling dies in police custody, The Times of India, 29 March 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/man-held-for-gambling-dies-in-
police-custody/articleshow/74867385.cms
74. NHRC Case No. 2383/18/8/2020-AD
75. NHRC Case No. 17081/24/61/2020-ad
Page 34 of 188


suspect that her husband was killed and demanded an investigation to find out the
truth. On 9 October, the NHRC directed the DM, Cuttack and the SP, Cuttack Rural
to submit detailed reports, including copy of MLC of the deceased, copies of all
relevant GD extracts, Inquest Report, PMR and MER.76
Case 64: Alleged tortured to death of Anup Roy at Itahar Police station,
West Bengal
On 2 September 2020, Anup Roy (23 years), a resident of Itahar in Raiganj district
of West Bengal died in the custody of Itahar police station a few hours after his
arrest in an earlier case of snatching. Police claimed that the deceased died of brain
haemorrhage and conducted the post-mortem without informing the family of the
deceased and handed over the body to his mother Geeta Roy. Next day, the
deceased’s mother Geeta Roy lodged a complaint at Itahar police station against five
policemen identified as Nihar Ranjan Das, Md Murtaza, Prabir Ghosh, Sandip
Chakraborty and Uttam Modak accusing them of killing his son. Pursuant to a
request by Geeta Roy, the Raiganj district court ordered for a fresh post-mortem of
her son’s body in the presence of the magistrate with video recording and same was
conducted on 5 August.77
Case 65: Alleged suicide of Wajid Ali due to alleged torture during illegal
detention, Uttar Pradesh
On 4 September 2020, Wajid Ali (20 years) died due to alleged third degree torture
at Gilaula police station in Shravasti district, Uttar Pradesh. Ali, a resident of Dargi
Purwa village in the district, was picked up by police on 31 August 2020 for allegedly
molesting a girl. He was illegally detained at the Gilaula police station for four days
from 31 August to 3 September. Police claimed that in the morning of 4 September
Ali was found hanging with a rope in the toilet of the police station. He was later
declared brought dead at the Bahraich district hospital. However, the deceased’s
family accused the police personnel of murder. They alleged that he was subjected
to third degree torture in police custody which led to his death. The family members
also questioned as to why the deceased was not produced before the court within
24 hours after his arrest and why he was kept in illegal custody for four days.78
Case 66: Alleged suicide of Balwan Mahto, Jharkhand
On 5 September 2020, Balwan Mahto (42 years) died under mysterious

circumstances at Madhuban police station in Giridih district, Jharkhand. Mahto, a
resident of Madhuban village under Dumri subdivision in the district, was arrested on

76. NHRC Case No. 2530/18/3/2020-PCD
77. ‘Custody death’ case on five cops, The Telegraphindia, 6 September 2020;
https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/custody-death-case-on-five-
cops/cid/1791111
78. NHRC Case No. 18833/24/66/2020-AD
Page 35 of 188


4 September 2020 along with another person identified as Bablu Sonar (41 years) in
connection with a case of stealing goat. After arrest both of them were kept in the
lockup of the police station where the Mahto was found dead the next morning.
Police claimed Mahto committed suicide inside the police station by hanging himself
with a wire.79
Case 67: Death of Nageshwar Rai due to alleged torture, Bihar
On 6 September 2020, Nageshwar Rai (50 years) died due to alleged torture in
custody of Punaura police station in Sitamarhi district, Bihar. The deceased, a
resident of Ranjitpur village in the district, was arrested on the same day in a 12-
year-old case related to the assault of a neighbor. Police claimed that following
arrest the deceased fell unconscious while he was being taken to the court.
Thereafter, he was immediately rushed to the Primary Health Centre, Dumra from
where he was referred to Sadar hospital, but declared dead on arrival. However, the
deceased’s family alleged that Nageshwar Rai died due to torture in police custody.80
Case 68: Death of Akhilesh Dixit in police custody, Uttarakhand
On 12 September 2020, Akhilesh Dixit (34 years) died under suspicious

circumstances in police custody in Roorkee in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand. The
deceased, a resident of Kankhal in the district, eloped with a 17-year-old girl of the
same locality on 6 September 2020 and they were traced to Chandigarh. On 12
September, a three-member team of Uttarakhand Police picked them up from
Chandigarh. Police claimed that when the vehicle reached near Roorkee, Akhilesh
vomited a few times and he was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him
brought dead. However, the deceased’s brother-in-law Alok Kumar Shukla suspected
foul play and demanded judicial inquiry into the custodial death.81
Case 69: Death of Irfan Ahmad Dar due to alleged torture, Jammu &
Kashmir
On 15 September 2020, Irfan Ahmad Dar, S/o Mohammad Akbar Dar of Sidiq
Colony, Sopore in Jammu & Kashmir, was arrested by police and taken to a police
station in Sopore in Baramulla district. He was booked under the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act. On the next day, he died in police custody. In a statement, the
police claimed that Irfan was allegedly an over ground worker of a militant group
and died after falling down on a stone while escaping from police custody taking
advantage of darkness and terrain. A magisterial inquiry was ordered into the
custodial death. However, family members alleged that he was tortured to death in
custody. According to them, there were torture marks on his body, including swollen

79. NHRC Case No. 906/34/8/2020-AD
80. NHRC Case No. 2476/4/36/2020-AD
81. NHRC Case No. 1020/35/6/2020-AD
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head, bruises on the back, torture marks on his face, neck, head and nose. Two of
his teeth were also allegedly broken.82
Case 70: Death of Sohail Shaikh due to alleged torture, Maharashtra
On 16 September 2020, Sohail Shaikh @ Usman (27 years) died due to alleged
torture in the custody of R.C.F. police station at Chembur in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Sohail, a resident of Mahul village under Chembur suburb in Mumbai, was picked up
along with his uncle Tayyab Mansoor (41 years) and detained at the R.C.F police
station on 15 September 2020 on suspicion of drug peddling. Police claimed Sohail
and his uncle were released in the afternoon of 15 September and he died at Sion
hospital in the evening of 16 September. However, the deceased’s uncle Tayyab
Mansoor alleged that Sohail was beaten up by the police at the R.C.F. police station
and he died at Sion hospital in the night of 16 September. Tayyab Mansoor further
alleged that when Sohail’s condition became serious due to beating at the police
station, the police neither allowed him to take medicines nor took him to the
hospital. He also alleged that the police demanded a bribe of Rs 200,000 for their
release but he could pay only Rs 50,000.83
Case 71: Alleged suicide of K Ramesh in police custody, Tamil Nadu
On 16 September 2020, K Ramesh (20 years) of Anaikaraipatti village in Peraiyur

taluk in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu was summoned by police for questioning in
connection with the missing of a minor girl. His body was found hanging on 17
September. However, the deceased’s relatives alleged that Ramesh was killed in
custody and his body was hung to project it as a case of suicide. The Tamil Nadu
State Human Rights (TNSHRC) took suo motu cognisance of the custodial death and
directed the Superintendent of Police, Madurai district to submit a detailed report
regarding the custodial death.84
Case 72: Death of Mirajul Islam in police custody, West Bengal
On 17 September 2020, Mirajul Islam, S/o Golam Kuddus died at Ketugram police
station in Purba (East) Bardhman district, West Bengal. Based on an intimation
received from the Deputy Superintendent of Police, the NHRC directed the the
District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Purba Bardhman district to submit
the reports and records relating to the custodial death to it which included, among

82. In custody: Family of a shopkeeper in North Kashmir alleges he was killed by the police,
Scroll.in, 18 September 2020, https://scroll.in/article/973398/in-custody-family-of-a-
shopkeeper-in-north-kashmir-alleges-he-was-killed-by-the-police
83. NHRC Case No. 1197/13/16/2020-AD
84. SHRC seeks detailed report on death of youth called for police questioning near Madurai,
The New Indian Express, 18 September 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/sep/18/shrc-seeks-detailed-
report-on-death-of-youth-called-for-police-questioning-near-madurai-2198783.html
Page 37 of 188


others, copy of arrest memo and inspection memo, copy of MLC, copies of all
relevant GD extracts, PMR and MER.85
Case 73: Tortured to death of T Selvan by police inspector in captivity,

Tamil Nadu
On 17 September 2020, T Selvan (28 years), a resident of Chokkankdiyiruppu in

Thoothukidi district of Tamil Nadu was allegedly beaten to death by Harikrishnan,
Thattarmadam police inspector and Thirumanavel, commerce wing secretary of the
ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The deceased, a water tanker
driver, was abducted by the two in an Innova car; beat him black and blue at a
secluded place before abandoning him at the outskirts of Kadakulam village. The
onlookers shifted injured Selvan to Thisayanvilai primary health center, where the
doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased was beaten to death to avenge
the filing of an affidavit by deceased’s brother at Madurai Bench of Madras High
Court regarding custodial torture meted out to them by police inspector
Harikrishnan after arresting them in connection with some false cases.86
Case 74: Alleged suicide of Dharmendra due to alleged torture, Delhi
On 20 September 2020, Dharmendra (40 years), a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was

allegedly tortured to death at Samaypur Badli police station in North West district of
Delhi. Arrested on charges of raping a minor girl, Dharmendra was allegedly found
hanging with a bedsheet inside the lock-up of the police station. Dharmendra, who
was in jail in a case of murder-cum-robbery, was released on parole in March 2020,
but due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, his parole period got extended. The family
members of the deceased alleged that police tortured and forced him to consume
liquor. Police refuted the allegations. Police claimed that the accused hanged himself
with a bedsheet tied around the bars of the lock-up gate. He was taken to hospital
but was declared brought dead by the doctors.87
Case 75: Death of C Manikandan due to alleged torture, Tamil Nadu
On 22 September 2020, C Manikandan (30 years) died due to alleged torture at

Tirupur city police station in Tirupur district, Tamil Nadu. Manikandan, a resident of
K Chettipalayam in the district, was arrested on 22 September at about 6 am from

85. NHRC Case No. 1654/25/26/2020-PCD
86. Lorry driver beaten to death after filing affidavit over custodial torture in Thoothukudi,
Newindianexpress, 18 September 2020; https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-
nadu/2020/sep/18/lorry-driver-beaten-to-death-after-filing-affidavit-over-custodial-
torture-in-thoothukudi-2198579.html
87. Man Found Dead Inside Police Station In Delhi, Family Alleges Custodial Torture, NDTV,
20 September 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/man-found-hanging-inside-
police-station-in-delhi-family-alleges-custodial-torture-2298436 & NHRC Case No.
5467/30/3/2020-PCD
Page 38 of 188


his house for questioning in connection with the death of a woman and his alleged
involvement in a sex racket. Police claimed that in the evening of the same day
Manikandan suffered from epilepsy during interrogation and he was rushed to the
Tirupur Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
However, the deceased’s family alleged that the deceased was tortured in police
custody which led to his death.88
Case 76: Alleged suicide of Samsher in police custody, Uttar Pradesh
On 23 September 2020, 46-years-old Samsher died under suspicious circumstances

at Vijay Nagar police station in Ghaziabad district, Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested by
police in the morning of 23 September pursuant to a complaint filed by his wife, who
accused him of indulging in domestic violence. Samsher died in the evening on the
same day under suspicious circumstances. Police claimed that in the evening of 23
September at about 7.30 pm. Samsher allegedly committed suicide himself inside
the lock-up room. The deceased was taken to a local hospital, where the doctors
declared him brought dead.89
Case 77: Death of Abdul Kadar Shaikh in police custody, Gujarat
On 27 September 2020, Abdul Kadar Shaikh (51 years), a cancer patient, died at
Vejalpur police station in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat. Abdul, a resident of
Mohammed Sohail Society in Vejalpur in the district, was allegedly caught on 26
September 2020 by a team of State Monitoring Cell of Gujarat Police along with
other accused while gambling and handed them over to the Vejalpur Police, where
he died on 27 September under suspicious condition. Police claimed that on at
around 12.15 am they had detained the deceased along with others at the Vejalpur
police station. As their COVID-19 test was pending, which was supposed to be done
on the same day, the deceased along with other were made to sit behind the
Personal Security Officer’s chamber where the Abdul was found lying unconscious.
He was declared dead by the 108 ambulance and medicos who was called to shift
the deceased to a hospital. However, the family members suspected foul play and
also alleged that the police did not allow them to give medicines to him.90
Case 78: Alleged suicide of Rajpati Kushwaha, Madhya Pradesh
On 28 September 2020, 45-year old Rajpati Kushwaha died at Singhpur police

station in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. Rajpati, a resident of Narayanpur village
in the district, was picked up by police from his house during the night of 27
September 2020 on suspicion of his involvement in a theft case. Police claimed that
on 27 September Rajpati snatched the revolver of a policeman which was kept on
the table and shot himself dead in the police station. However, the family members

88. NHRC Case No. 7064/22/52/2020-ad
89. NHRC Case Nos. 19405/24/31/2020-AD & 19794/24/31/2020-PCD
90. NHRC Case No. 19406/24/10/2020-AD
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alleged Rajpati was shot dead by a drunken police inspector inside the police station
after torture. The family members and the villagers protested in front of the police
station against the custodial death.91
Case 79: Death of Dovari Ajay due to alleged torture in SEB custody,
Andhra Pradesh
On 1 October 2020, Dovari Ajay (25 years) died due to alleged torture in the custody
of Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) at Vijayawada in Krishna district of Andhra
Pradesh. The deceased, a resident of Krishnalanka area of Vijayawada city in the
district, was arrested by personnel of the SEB, which is tasked with curbing the
illegal sand and liquor trafficking and headed by the State’s DGP, after he was
allegedly caught transporting liquor illegally and was booked under Andhra Pradesh
Excise (Amendment) Act. The SEB claimed that on 1 October evening the deceased
suddenly fell sick during interrogation, following which he was taken a private
hospital at Bandar Road in Vijayawada where the doctors declared him brought
dead. However, the family members alleged that the deceased was tortured by the
SEB personnel during interrogation which caused his death.92
Case 80: Death of tribal Marulasiddappa due to alleged torture, Karnataka
On 6 October 2020, a tribal identified as Marulasiddappa, husband of Vrundamma of
Vittallapura village in Davangere district of Karnataka, died allegedly in custody of
Mayakonda police station. On 5 October 2020, the deceased’s wife complained to
Mayakonda Police seeking help to trace her missing husband who had left home to
live with another woman. The police subsequently traced him at nearby
Huchchavvana Halli and had brought him to the police station on 5 October.
Marulasiddappa was found dead near a railway station on 6 October afternoon. The
family members alleged that Marulasiddappa was tortured to death by the police in
custody. However, the police denied the allegation and claimed that they had
released him after he complained of uneasiness.93
Case 81: Death of Mohan Marathe in police custody, Maharashtra
On 7 October 2020, Mohan Marathe (37 years), a resident of Sant Kabir Nagar,
Dondaicha in Dhule district, Maharashtra, died under suspicious circumstances in
custody of Dondaicha Police. Mohan was arrested by the police while he was on his
way to work in the morning of 7 October as a suspect in connection with a case.

91. NHRC Case No. 2224/12/38/2020-AD
92. Vijayawada: Youth dies while in SEB custody, The Times of India, 2 October 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/youth-dies-while-in-seb-
custody/articleshow/78435641.cms
93. CID begins inquiry into ‘custodial death’, The Hindu, 8 October 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/cid-begins-inquiry-into-custodial-
death/article32804679.ece
Page 40 of 188


Police claimed that Mohan was subsequently released from custody after a medical
examination. His dead body was later found in a road. According to police, the
investigation of the case was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID).94
Case 82: Death of Rahul due to alleged custodial torture, Madhya Pradesh
On 8 October 2020, Rahul (32 years), a resident of Mundla Suleman village in Ujjain
district of Madhya Pradesh, died due to alleged torture at Neelganga police station in
the district. The family members alleged that on 8 October he had gone to the
Neelganga police station to collect the mobile phone of his friend’s son. In the police
station, Rahul allegedly provided water to a person who was in police lock-up. This
infuriated the police who beat up Rahul and detained him in the lock-up. On
persistent requests of family members, the police released Rahul late in the night.
While heading home, Rahul’s condition deteriorated and he fell unconscious near
Mediya village. He was taken to a hospital where doctors pronounced him brought
dead.95
Case 83: Death of Prakash Gorai due to alleged torture, Jharkhand
On 9 October 2020, Prakash Gorai (30 years) died due to alleged torture at
Kalubathan police station in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. Prakash, a resident of
Pindrahat area in the district, was arrested by police on 6 October 2020 in
connection with a mobile theft case. The suspect died in suspicious circumstances at
the police station on 9 October. Police claimed that on 8 October Prakash fled from
police custody when he was taken for relieving himself and his body was found
hanging from a tree on the backyard of Kalubathan High School with handcuff on his
left hand on 9 October. However, the deceased’s father Dhani Gorai alleged that his
son was tortured to death in police custody and that the police hanged his body
from a tree to look like a suicide.96
Case 84: Alleged torture to death of Madan Ghoroi in police custody, West
Bengal
On 9 October 2020, Madan Ghoroi, a Booth President of the Bharatiya Janata Party
in Patashpur area of East Midnapore district of West Bengal died in the custody of
police at SSKM hospital in Kolkata. He was picked up and interrogated by police on
26 September after his nephew allegedly kidnapped a girl from Patashpur area.
Ghoroi was remanded in judicial custody at Contai Correctional Home where he fell
ill and Patashpur police station transferred him to Kolkata on October 9 apparently
for better treatment. On 9 October, he died at SSKM in Kolkata. However, the BJP

94. See https://www.lokmat.com/dhule/suspected-death-mohan-marathe-who-was-taken-
police-custody-dondaicha-class-cid-a635/ & NHRC Case No. 1509/13/10/2020-PCD
95. NHRC Case No. 2139/12/47/2020
96. NHRC Case No. 1053/34/4/2020-ad
Page 41 of 188


accused that Ghoroi succumbed to brutal torture perpetrated upon him by police
while in their custody. The BJP demanded an investigation by the Central Bureau of
Investigation. On 17 October, hearing a petition by the BJP the Calcutta High Court
ordered a second postmortem examination on the body of Ghoroi at R G Kar Medical
College and Hospital, Kolkata and production of a copy of the videography and the
report of the second post mortem examination before the court on the next date of
hearing on 21 October.97
Case 85: Death of Rahul @ Monu Vishwakarma in police custody, Madhya

Pradesh
On 18 October 2020, Rahul @ Monu Vishwakarma (30 years) died under mysterious
circumstances at Sanjeevani Nagar police station in Jabalpur district of Madhya
Pradesh. Rahul, a resident of Maharajapur locality under Adhartal police station in
the district, was arrested on 18 October along with two other persons identified as
Malay Rao (25 years) and Karan Jaggi (24 years) in connection with a kidnapping
and murder case. He died in custody of the police during the ensuing night.98
Case 86: Death of Asutosh Pathak due to alleged torture, Bihar
On 25 October 2020, Asutosh Pathak (30 years) died due to alleged torture at
Naugachhia police station in Bhagalpur district, Bihar. Asutosh, a software engineer,
was a resident of Naugachia town in the district, was picked up by the police on 24
October 2020 after he got into an argument with a neighbour. The family members
of the deceased alleged that he was tortured in custody, which led to his death.99
Case 87: Death of Dharambir due to alleged torture, Delhi

On 25 October 2020, Dharambir (45 years), an auto-rickshaw driver and a resident
of Najafgarh in West Delhi, died in custody of Lodhi Colony police station in South
Delhi district. According to the police, a case of car theft was reported on 22 October
2020 at Lodhi Colony police station. The vehicle was stolen from Lodhi Colony and
investigation was entrusted to ASI Vijay. Dharmabir was summoned for questioning
at Lodhi Colony police station. Police claimed Dharambir was being questioned by
ASI Vijay at the first floor of the police station. In between, ASI Vijay had gone to
the bathroom, leaving Dharambir in the room. When he returned, he did not find
Dharambir in the room. After searching, the ASI found that Dharambir was lying on
the floor in the central courtyard of the police station. Dharambir was rushed to All
India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Hospital by the police personnel. During
treatment at the Trauma Centre, Dharambir died. The family members of Dharambir
alleged that he was tortured by police in custody leading to his death. Saurav Kumar

97. Bengal: BJP alleges custodial death of party worker, seeks CBI probe, Indianexpress, 17
October 2020; https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-bjp-alleges-
custodial-death-seeks-cbi-probe-6758260/
98. NHRC Case No. 2263/12/22/2020-ad
99. NHRC Case No. 3182/4/5/2020-AD
Page 42 of 188


(24 years), the son of deceased, alleged that police demanded Rs. 50,000 from his
father. Dharambir was the sole earner in the family comprising of his wife, daughter
and two sons. Following the custodial death, ASI Vijay was suspended and two
constables were sent to police lines.100
Case 88: Alleged suicide of Ashwani Manikpuri, Chhattisgarh
On 28 October 2020, Ashwani Manikpuri (20 years) died under mysterious

circumstances at Pandri police station in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. Ashwani, a
resident of Chandrashekhar Nagar locality in the district, was arrested on the same
day along with four others in connection with a murder case on 25 October 2020.
Police claimed that on 28 October at around 3 pm Ashwani committed suicide by
hanging himself inside the toilet of the lock-up of the police station.101
Case 89: Alleged suicide of a 15-year-old Dalit boy due to alleged torture,
West Bengal
On 30 October 2020, a 15-year-old Dalit boy died in illegal custody at Mallarpur

police station in Birbhum district of West Bengal. The deceased, a resident of
Mallarpur area in the district, was arrested on 29 October 2020 in connection with a
mobile theft case. He died in police custody the next day. The police claimed that on
30 October at around 9:25 pm the deceased committed suicide by hanging himself
inside the toilet of the lock-up of the police station. However, the family members of
the deceased alleged that their minor son was tortured to death in police custody.102
Case 90: Death of Intazul Laskar in police custody, Mizoram
On 2 November 2020, Intazul Laskar (45 years) died in the custody of police in
Kolasib district of Mizoram. The deceased, a resident of Lailapur under Cachar
district of Assam, was abducted from Assam side (near Mizoram border) by some
people on 1 November 2020. BL Meena, Superintendent of Police, Cachar, Assam
stated that Intazul was abducted from the Assam side and died in custody of
Mizoram Police in Kolasib district. However, Mizoram Police claimed that the
deceased was peddling drugs when he was caught by the locals and handed over to
the police.103

100. Man Dies In Custody, Delhi Police Police Suspends Assistant Sub-Inspector, NDTV, 25
October 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/man-dies-in-custody-delhi-police-
police-suspends-assistant-sub-inspector-2315499
102. NHRC Case No. 1711/25/3/2020-AD
103. NHRC Case No. 5/16/5/2020-AD
Page 43 of 188


Case 91: Alleged suicide of Zamrood Ahmad Gojri, Jammu & Kashmir
On 4 November 2020, Zamrood Ahmad Gojri (30 years), S/o Ghulam Muhammad
Gojri died at Putkha Police Post in Sopore area in Baramulla district of Jammu and
Kashmir. Zamrood Ahmad, a resident of Sopore area in the district, was arrested by
the police on the charges of peddling drugs on 1 November 2020. FIR No 110/2020
under sections 8/22 of the NDPS, 1985 was registered against him and he was
produced before the judicial magistrate and remanded to police custody upto 15
November. Police claimed that on 4 November Zamrood Ahmad committed suicide
by hanging inside the Putkha Police Post under Tarzoo Sopore police station.104
Case 92: Death of M Selvamurugan due to alleged torture, Tamil Nadu

On 4 November 2020, M Selvamurugan (40 years), a cashew farmer from
Kadampuliyur village in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, died at a hospital due to
alleged torture in police custody. According to the police, Selvamurugan was taken
to Neyveli Township police station on 30 October 2020 for inquiry over his alleged
involvement in a chain snatching case. He was later remanded to judicial custody on
the same day at Vriddhachalam sub-jail. However, family members alleged that
police picked him up on 28 October 2020 and claimed that he was shown arrested
on 30 October 2020 only to hide illegal detention and torture on October 28 and
29.105 Family members refused to collect his dead body after post-mortem, citing
that custodial torture had resulted in his death. The deceased’s wife Prabha stated
that Selvamurugan was falsely accused of theft charges and the police demanded a
10-sovereign gold chain as bribe to drop the charges. She was also allegedly ill-
treated when she refused to bribe them. According to her, when she visited her
husband at the Virudhachalam sub-jail on 2 November 2020, he appeared weak and
was unable to eat due to a swollen throat.106
Case 93: Death of Dalit Sonu Bansal due to alleged torture, Madhya
Pradesh
On 8 November 2020, a Dalit identified as Sonu Bansal, S/o Munnilal Bansal died in
custody of Kotwali police station in Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh. Sonu was
arrested by police in connection with a case of theft. Police claimed the health of
Sonu deteriorated within hours of his arrest, following which he was rushed to the
hospital, where he died. The family alleged that Sonu was subjected to custodial

104. NHRC Case No. 234/9/3/2020-PCD
105. Kin allege torture in death of Tamil Nadu prisoner, magistrate begins probe, The Times
of India, 8 November 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/kin-allege-
torture-in-death-of-tamil-nadu-prisoner-magistrate-begins-
probe/articleshowprint/79107653.cms
Page 44 of 188


torture and demanded registration of murder charge against the guilty police
officials.107
Case 94: Death of Dalit Harji Kanjar due to alleged torture, Rajasthan
On 9 November 2020, a Dalit man identified as Harji Kanjar (55 years) died due to
alleged torture at Ramnagar police check post under Bundi Sadar police station in
Bundi district of Rajasthan. Harji Kanjar, a resident of Ramnagar village in the
district, was picked up on the same day from Ramnagar village for gambling. Police
claimed that his health suddenly deteriorated and he was declared brought dead at
Bundi district hospital. However, the family members alleged that Harji Kanjar was
beaten to death by the police. The deceased’s son Sultan Singh alleged that four
police personnel identified as Hanuman, Satyanarayan, Prahlad and Madan from
Bundi Sadar police station had come to his home and demanded money for Diwali.
When his father Harji refused to oblige them they began to beat him and forced him
to sit on their motorbike. Later he died in police custody due to alleged torture.108
Case 95: Death of Suraj Pandey in police custody, Uttar Pradesh
On 12 November 2020, a journalist identified as Suraj Pandey (22 years) died due to
alleged torture by police in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. His dead body was found
at a railway track under mysterious circumstances on 12 November. The family
members alleged that he was tortured to death by some police personnel including
SI Sunita Chaurasia and Constable Amar Singh at Bihar police station in Unnao
district and later his body was dumped at the railway track.109
Case 96: Custodial death of Mesar in police custody, Delhi

On 12 November 2020, Mesar (24 years) died in custody of Welcome police station
in north-east Delhi’s Kabir Nagar. He was allegedly caught stealing a truck and
assaulted by its owner and the public in north-east Delhi’s Kabir Nagar. Reportedly, a
police team from the Welcome police station reached the spot after receiving a
complaint of vehicle theft and met one Hira Lal Kamra, who produced Mesar. Kamra
told police that he caught Mesar with the help of locals and they assaulted him
before informing the police. Mesar’s family alleged that he was tortured at Welcome
police station. According to the police, around midnight, Mesar complained of pain
and was admitted to Hedgewar Hospital, where he died. Mesar’s relative Abdul
Waseem claimed that he was a cab driver and lived in Pul Prahladpur and suspected

107. See NHRC Case No. 2772/12/45/2020-PCD &
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/madhya-pradesh/other-cities/man-dies-in-
police-custody-at-sidhi-kotwali-police-station-in-madhya-
pradesh/articleshow/79128277.cms
108. NHRC Case No. 1865/20/8/2020-AD
109. NHRC Case No. 25016/24/71/2020-AD
Page 45 of 188


that he succumbed to injuries caused by police torture. A judicial inquiry by a
metropolitan magistrate was ordered.110
Case 97: Death of K Arya due to alleged torture, Odisha

On 18 November 2020, K Arya (33 years), a resident of Loknath Road area in Puri
district, Odisha, died at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) due to alleged
police torture at Baselisahi police station. According to Superintendent of Police, Puri
district, Arya was arrested by police for interrogation in connection with a case and
the accused got into a scuffle with police during the arrest and he sustained injuries.
The accused was later admitted to the DHH and died while undergoing treatment.
However, family members refuted the police statement and alleged that Arya died
due to custodial torture.111
Case 98: Death of Tarique Salim due to alleged torture, Odisha
On 18 November 2020, Tarique Salim, arrested by police for questioning in a
kidnapping case, died in custody at Biramitrapur police station in Sundargarh district,
Odisha. According to the police, the accused was initially admitted to the Kuarmunda
Hospital and later shifted to the Rourkela Government Hospital, where he died while
undergoing treatment. Family members alleged that he died due to torture while
being under police custody. Hundreds of locals protested against the custodial death
at the police station demanding action against the police. Relatives claimed that
there were injury marks on Tariq’s body, and therefore, suspected he was tortured
inside the police station.112
Case 99: Alleged suicide of Ranjit Mandal due to alleged torture, Bihar
On 18 November 2020, Ranjit Mandal (35 years) died at a hospital due to alleged
torture in police custody in Katihar district of Bihar. Ranjit, a resident of Madansahi
village in the district, was arrested along with other persons on 17 November 2020
after a dispute with shopkeepers at Kamal Chowk. Police claimed that in the night of
18 November Ranjit committed suicide by jumping from the roof of the hospital.
However, the deceased’s family members rejected the claim of police and alleged
that the deceased was subjected to torture in custody, leading to his death.113

110. Man dies in judicial custody a day after assault over bid to steal truck, The Hindustan
Times, 13 November 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/man-caught-for-
theft-dies-in-judicial-custody-family-alleges-torture/story-
4HLdxEvsFpqvejKQMD9p6I.html
111. Tension Prevails In Puri As Accused Dies In Police Custody; DGP Assures Action, The
Sambad, 19 November 2020, https://sambadenglish.com/tension-prevails-in-puri-as-
accused-dies-in-police-custody-dgp-assures-action/
112. Arrestee’s Death Sparks Tension In Odisha’s Sundargarh, Custodial Death Alleged, The
Sambad English, 19 November 2020, https://sambadenglish.com/arrestees-death-sparks-
tension-in-odishas-sundargarh-custodial-death-alleged/
113. NHRC Case No. 3409/4/16/2020-AD
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Case 100: Death of K Ramesh due to alleged torture, Odisha
On 19 November 2020, K Ramesh (32 years) died due to alleged torture at

Baselisahi police station in Puri district of Odisha. Ramesh was picked up by police
on 18 November 2020 and detained at the police station following a scuffle with
police. Police claimed Ramesh was a known criminal with a number of cases lodged
against him in different police stations, and on 18 November they had arrested him
while he was roaming with a sharp weapon with an objective to commit a crime in
Puri town. Police claimed he later died in the hospital as he sustained minor injuries
during the scuffle with police. However, the family members alleged that Ramesh
was tortured to death at the police station after he was picked up.114
Case 101: Alleged suicide of Bharot Sautal in police custody, Assam
On 20 November 2020, Bharot Sautal (32 years) died at Dolamara police station in
Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Bharot, a resident of Dolamara Bagan in the district,
was arrested on 19 November 2020 in connection with an alleged murder case.
Police claimed that the deceased committed suicide inside the police station by
strangulating himself with the cord of his underwear.115
Case 102: Death of Surajbhai in police custody, Gujarat
On 22 November 2020, Surajbhai @ Sureshbhai Supdubhai More (26 years) died in

custody of Rajpipla police station in Narmada district, Gujarat. Based on a intimation
received from Superintendent of Police, Narmada district 8 July 2020, the NHRC
directed the District Collector, Narmada and the Superintendent of Police, Narmada
to submit the reports and records, which included, among others, MER, PMR,
inquest report, MLC.116
Case 103: Death of Kuldeep Kumar in police custody, Jammu & Kashmir
On 23 November 2020, Kuldeep Kumar (45 years), a resident of Akhnoor in Jammu
district of Jammu and Kashmir who was arrested for his alleged involvement in
cross-border narcotic smuggling, died due to some alleged "health problems" at a
police station in Jammu and Kashmir. Kuldeep Kumar was lodged in the lockup at R
S Pura police station and allegedly complained of chest pain before losing his
consciousness. Police officials claimed that he was rushed to the Government
Medical College hospital, where he was declared ''brought dead.117

116. NHRC Case No. 1075/6/16/2020-PCD
117. Drug smuggling suspect dies at Jammu police station, The 23 November 2020,
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/drug-smuggling-suspect-dies-at-jammu-
police-station/1980850
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Case 104: Death of Punam Katlam due to alleged torture, Chhattisgarh
On 24 November 2020, Punam Katlam (44 years) died due to alleged torture in
custody of Latori outpost under Surajpur police station in Surajpur district,
Chhattisgarh. The deceased, a junior engineer of Electricity Department, was posted
at Latori sub-station in the district. On 23 November 2020, Punam Katlam was
picked up by the police along with three other persons on the suspicion in a case of
murder which took place on 22 November 2020. On the next day, the deceased died
in custody. Police claimed that during investigation on 23 November evening Punam
started feeling uneasy and was taken to a hospital and on the next day he suffered a
heart attack in the hospital’s toilet. However, the family members alleged he was
tortured in custody. Deepak Katlam, the deceased’s brother claimed they found
injury marks on his brother’s body, which suggest torture during detention by
police.118
Case 105: Death of Vidyaram Yadav due to alleged torture, Uttar Pradesh
On 6 December 2020, Vidyaram Yadav (50 years) died due to alleged torture at
Mujariya police station in Budaun district, Uttar Pradesh. Vidyaram, a farmer and a
resident of Dariyapur village in the district, was arrested and detained along with
three others by police after a brawl over construction work on a disputed property.
According to the police, the deceased had chest pain before reaching the police
station and after initial treatment he was referred to the district hospital where the
doctor declared him brought dead. However, the family members alleged he was
tortured in police custody which led to his death.119
Case 106: Alleged suicide of tribal Lipak Nyorak due to alleged torture,
Arunachal Pradesh
On 10 December 2020, a tribal identified as Lipak Nyorak (30 years) died in custody
of Banderdewa police station in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh. Lipak
Nyorak, a resident of Banderdewa area in the district, was arrested by police in
connection with a case of theft. Police detained him in the police station lock-up,
where he died due to alleged torture. Police claimed the accused committed suicide
by hanging himself inside the lock-up.120
Case 107: Alleged suicide of Pritam Singh, Punjab
On 11 December 2020, Pritam Singh (57 years) died at Kamboh police station in
Amritsar district of Punjab. Pritam, a resident of Makam village in the district, was
arrested by police on the charges of possessing drugs/narcotic substance. Police
claimed in the evening of 11 December Pritam Singh was shifted to the store room

118. NHRC Case No. 509/33/27/2020-AD
119. NHRC Case No. 26269/24/7/2020-ad
120. NHRC Case No. 51/2/10/2020-ad
Page 48 of 188


of the police station after he felt uneasy in the lock up and that he committed
suicide by hanging the same night. However, the family members alleged that he
was arrested illegally as no case was registered against him and was kept in illegal
detention at the police station.121
Case 108: Death of Somdutt in police custody, Uttar Pradesh
On 12 December 2020, Somdutt @ Sonu (28 years) died at Khurja Nagar police
station in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, a resident of Kanaini
village in Khurja tehsil in the district, was taken into custody on 10 December 2020
for allegedly eloping with a woman whose marriage was already fixed with another
man on 6 December. The family members alleged that police brought the dead body
home on 12 December around 5 AM and forced them to conduct cremation without
post mortem examination.122
Case 109: Death of Lalaram Garasiya due to alleged torture, Rajasthan
On 16 December 2020, Lalaram Garasiya (36 years) died due to alleged torture in
the custody of Saira police station in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. Lalaram, a
resident of Sadri in Ranakpur in Pali district, was picked up along with his relative by
police in the night of 15 December 2020 for interrogation in connection with a case
of kidnapping of a girl that took place a year ago. Police claimed that in the morning
of 16 December Lalaram’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to
a local hospital and died on the way while he was being taken to Udaipur. However,
the family members alleged that Lalaram was tortured to death in police custody.123
Case 110: Death of Aarif Sheikh in police custody, Rajasthan
On 17 December 2020, Aarif Sheikh, arrested for snatching a mobile from a girl, died
in custody of Bhatta Basti police station in Jaipur district, Rajasthan allegedly after
falling down from the terrace while trying to escape. He was arrested by the police
on 9 December 2020. According to the police, while they were on the course of
making papers of his arrest, Sheikh asked for water following which he was allowed
and he took the stairs inside the police station to reach the terrace and he grabbed
the water pipe that was attached with the water tank in a bid to escape. While he
was attempting to come down holding the pipe, he slipped. He was rushed to SMS
Hospital but succumbed to the injuries. However, the police failed to explain why he
was not produced before the court as required within 24 hours of arrest. As Sheikh
was arrested on 9 December and he allegedly fell down on 11 December 2020, he

Page 49 of 188


was in illegal detention for about two days. A judicial inquiry was ordered into the
custodial death.124
Case 111: Death of Paramjit Singh in police custody, Punjab
On 24 December 2020, Paramjit Singh (67 years) died in custody of Dera Bassi
police station in Mohali district (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district), Punjab.
Praramjit, a resident of Delhi, was arrested by the Punjab Police on 23 December
2020 for interrogation by Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mohali Police in
connection with a fraud case that was registered against him at Zirakpur police
station in Mohali. He was brought to Dera Bassi police station after producing him
before a competent court. However, he died in police custody under suspicious
circumstances on 24 December. Police claimed that on 24 December Paramjit
complained of breathing problem and he was taken to the Civil Hospital at Dera
Bassi. On improvement of his condition, he was taken to the police station. But, he
was again rushed to the hospital on the same day, where the doctors declared him
brought dead.125
B. Suicides as a result of torture
In India, custodial deaths have become synonymous with suicide. Often victims are
tortured to death and police claim that the victims have committed suicide with
unimaginable objects such as shoe laces or chord of underwear. However, in a
number of cases either being unable to bear further torture or to escape from
humiliation including in front of the family members, victims commit suicide. After
release from police custody, victims committed suicide for being tortured and
humiliated in front of family members including beating of the husband in front of
his wife, torture and humiliation in front of parents, mental torture, harassment etc.
In 2020, the NCAT recorded 55 deaths by suicide as a result of police torture i.e.
more than one suicide every week as a result of police torture. The maximum
number of cases of suicide as a result of torture were reported from Uttar Pradesh
with nine cases, followed by Andhra Pradesh in seven cases and Madhya Pradesh
with four cases. The cases of suicide included 35 deaths in police custody and 20
deaths after having been released from the police custody.

124. Jaipur: Man in custody slips from terrace of police station, dies, The Times of India, 18
December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/man-in-custody-slips-
from-terrace-of-police-station-dies/articleshowprint/79785287.cms
Page 50 of 188


Table 2: Deaths in police custody recorded by NCAT during 2020
Sl Name States Reason for Date of

No. death death
1 Sushanta Ghosh Tripura Alleged suicide 12.1.2020
2 K Mahendiran Tamil Nadu Alleged suicide 1.2.2020
3 Vivek Kumar Verma Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 21.2.2020
4 Jigar Ramanbhai Gujarat Alleged suicide 24.2.2020
Solanki (17)
5 Bodhu Birari Maharashtra Alleged suicide 25.2.2020
6 Avtar Singh Gill Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 1.3.2020
7 Anil Kumar Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 20.3.2020
8 Vikram Kumar Bihar Alleged suicide 24.3.2020
9 Dinesh Rajasthan Alleged suicide 1.4.2020
10 Vijay Mandal Jharkhand Alleged suicide 7.4.2020

11 Rupesh Doliya Gujarat Alleged suicide 4.5.2020
12 Vinu Parmar Gujarat Alleged suicide 4.5.2020
13 Srilam Rangaiah Telangana Alleged suicide 26.5.2020
14 21-year-old youth Haryana Alleged suicide 4.6.2020
15 Rinku Haryana Alleged suicide 14.6.2020
16 Pradeep Bhil Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 7.7.2020
17 Vipul Nataverbhai Gujarat Alleged suicide 9.7.2020
Chauhan
18 Dilbar Hussian Arunachal Alleged suicide 11.7.2020
Pradesh
19 Sauvik Gorai West Bengal Alleged suicide 21.7.2020
20 Narayan Ladia Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 2.8.2020
21 Ansari Kerala Alleged suicide 16.8.2020
22 Kalapala Krupakar Andhra Pradesh 28.8.2020
23 Gopalram Paswan Odisha Alleged suicide 29.8.2020
24 Wajid Ali Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 4.9.2020
25 Balwan Mahto Jharkhand Alleged suicide 5.9.2020
26 K Ramesh Tamil Nadu Alleged suicide 17.9.2020
27 Dharmendra Delhi Alleged suicide 20.9.2020
28 Samsher Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 23.9.2020
29 Rajpati Kushwaha Madhya Pradesh Alleged suicide 28.9.2020
30 Ashwani Manikpuri Chhattisgarh Alleged suicide 28.10.2020
31 15-year-old Dalit West Bengal Alleged suicide 30.10.2020
boy
32 Zamrood Ahmad Jammu & Kashmir Alleged suicide 4.11.2020
Gojri
33 Ranjit Mandal Bihar Alleged suicide 18.11.2020
34 Bharot Sautal Assam Alleged suicide 20.11.2020
35 Lipak Nyorak Arunachal Alleged suicide 10.12.2020
Pradesh
Page 51 of 188


SUICIDE OUTSIDE POLICE STATIONS DUE TO TORTURE & HUMILIATION
36 Akshaydev Kerala Alleged suicide 8.1.2020
37 R Balasubramanian Tamil Nadu Alleged suicide 10.1.2020
38 Abhishek Uttar Pradesh 14.3.2020
39 Roshan Lal Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 31.3.2020
40 Srinivas Andhra Pradesh Alleged suicide 1.4.2020
41 Bhupinder Singh Punjab Alleged suicide 16.4.2020
42 18-year old Punjab Alleged suicide 15.06.2020
43 Srinivasan Tamilnadu Alleged suicide 2.8.2020
44 Nishu Chaudhary Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 8.8.2020
45 Sandip Bhatia Punjab Alleged suicide 11.8.2020
46 Munnagi Rajasekhar Andhra Pradesh Alleged suicide 3.9.2020
Reddy
47 Navneet Gujarat Alleged suicide 29.9.2020
48 Pintu Diwakar Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 2.10.2020
49 Deepu Haryana Alleged suicide 3.10.2020
50- Sheikh Abdul Andhra Pradesh Alleged suicide 3.11.2020

53 Salam, Salma and
Dada Khalandhar
54 Prabhas Tiwari Uttar Pradesh Alleged suicide 20.11.2020
55 T Gangadhar Telangana Alleged suicide 5.11.2020
While the deaths due to alleged suicide in police custody were reported in the
preceeding chapter, deaths due to alleged suicide after release from police custody
are illustrated below.
Case 1: Suicide by 18-year-old Akshaydev, Kerala
On 8 January 2020, an 18-year-old youth identified as Akshaydev, S/o Sudhakaran,

ended his life after the police allegedly tortured and threatened him at the
Alappuzha North police station in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The youth’s body was
found hanging inside his home at Palakulam in Alappuzha municipality and a suicide
note found mentioned that police personnel including the Sub-Inspector of the
Alappuzha North police station had tortured him. The Alappuzha North police station
had registered a case based on a complaint by a woman against Akshaydev and
some others for creating tension in the Avalookunnu area. The police called them to
the station and tortured them during interrogation. The suicide note said that the
case was registered against him based on a fake complaint and police including the
SI misbehaved with him, his father and elder brother in front of the complainant.126

Page 52 of 188


Case 2: Suicide by R Balasubramanian, Tamil Nadu
On 10 January 2020, 30-year-old R Balasubramanian, a resident of Sadayappapuram

village in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, allegedly committed suicide after he was
allegedly tortured by police personnel from Pavoorchatram police station in the
district. Relatives of the deceased demanded legal action against a SI and three
constables involved in the incident. In a petition submitted to the District Collector
GK Arun Sundar Thayalan, the deceased’s wife alleged that her husband had an
argument with a person named Vengatesh who called the police. Upon reaching the
spot, the police led by SI Chinnadurai started beating her husband. The next day,
the deceased was found hanging in a cowshed and it is suspected that he committed
suicide due to police brutalities.127
Case 3: Suicide by Abhishek, Uttar Pradesh
On 14 March 2020, Abhishek (26 years), S/o Ram Narain committed suicide due to
alleged torture and other forms of harassment by the Investigation Officer identified
as Lal Singh, In-Charge of Sitakiya police outpost under Mohammadabad Gohana
police station in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh. Abhishek, a resident of Salempur village
in the district, was an accused in a case of elopement of a girl from his neighboring
village. Ram Narain, the deceased's father, claimed that his son had no involvement
in the elopement case. He alleged that his son was subjected to torture and mental
harassment by police in the name of investigation in the last eight months. On 14
March evening when Abhishek was alone at home the Investigation Officer (IO) Lal
Singh raided the house and mentally harassed him again. Unable to bear the regular
torture by the IO, the deceased allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself at
his home on 14 March.128
Case 4: Suicide of Roshan Lal, Uttar Pradesh
On 31 March 2020, Roshan Lal (22 years), a Dalit migrant worker, committed suicide
after he was allegedly beaten by a police constable identified as Anoop Kumar Singh
at a quarantine centre in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh during the COVID-
19 lockdown. Roshan Lal recorded two audio clips, in which he alleged that he was
brutally beaten up by a constable in public for defying the quarantine guidelines,
which prompted him to end his life. The deceased, who was working as an
electrician in Haryana, had returned to his village on 29 March and was kept in a
local school under quarantine by officials.129

127. Ibid
128. NHRC Case No. 7283/24/53/2020-PCD
129. Youth who returned from Gurgaon ‘beaten up’ by cop, hangs self; probe on, The Indian
Express, 2 April 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/youth-who-
returned-from-gurgaon-beaten-up-by-cop-hangs-self-probe-on/
Page 53 of 188


Case 5: Suicide by Srinivas, Andhra Pradesh
On 1 April 2020, Srinivas, a resident of Kaikaluru in Krishna district of Andhra

Pradesh, committed suicide allegedly unable to bear the torture in police custody in
Guntur district. Srinivas who was working in Tirupati was coming to his home when
he was arrested for defying the coronavirus lockdown. He was allegedly tortured in
detention. Srinivas made a video stating that the police were responsible for his
suicide.130
Case 6: Suicide of Bhupinder Singh, Punjab

On 16 April 2020, Bhupinder Singh (45 years) committed suicide after he was beaten
by police while returning home after purchasing milk for the family in Patiala in
Punjab. Family members alleged that the deceased took the extreme step unable to
bear the beating and humiliation at the hands of the police. However, the police
refuted the allegation.131
Case 7: Suicide by 18-year-old, Punjab
On 15 June 2020, an 18-year-old boy committed suicide due to alleged harassment

by two police personnel identified as Assistant Sub-inspectors Davinder Singh and
Sham Lal attached to Mohkampura police station in Amritsar district of Punjab. The
youth, a resident of New Preet Nagar in Amritsar city, was allegedly stopped by two
accused police officers near Sun City gate in Amritsar city for not wearing a helmet
on 14 June 2020. Thereafter, he was taken to Sun City police post under
Mohkampura police station and harassed in custody. Later, the deceased was
released after his father was forced to pay a bribe. The deceased’s father claimed
that on 14 June his son was mentally tortured and humiliated in front of him by the
two accused. On the next day, the boy allegedly committed suicide at his home.132
Case 8 Suicide by Srinivasan, Tamil Nadu
On 2 August 2020, Srinivasan (42 years) allegedly set himself afire after he was
allegedly tortured by police of Puzhal police station in Chennai district of Tamil Nadu.

130. AP youth commits suicide accusing police for thrashing him during lockdown, The
Deccan Chronicle, 3 April 2020,
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/crime/030420/ap-youth-commit-suicide-
accusing-police-for-thrashing-him-during-lockd.html
131. Punjab: 45-year-old man commits suicide; family accuses police of torturing for
stepping out during lockdown, The Times Now, 17 April 2020,
https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/article/punjab-45-year-old-man-
commits-suicide-family-accuses-police-of-torturing-for-stepping-out-during-
lockdown/579531
132. NHRC Case No. 506/19/1/2020
Page 54 of 188


Srinivasan, a painter by profession and resident of Puzhal area in Chennai district,
was allegedly beaten up by the police on 1 August 2020 after his landlord Rajendran
filed a complaint at the Puzhal police station for not paying rent for the last few
months due to COVID-19 lockdown. Police claimed that on 1 August, a police team
led by Sub Inspector G Bensam had gone to the house of the deceased after the
landlord informed them about him for creating a ruckus after getting drunk. Police
claimed that he set himself on fire and died in the hospital on 2 August. However, in
a video made by the deceased’s brother, from the hospital bed, Srinivasan alleged
that he was brutally beaten up by the police at around 7 pm on 1 August. The family
members of the deceased also alleged that the deceased was brutally beaten up by
sub-inspector G Bensam and others over a complaint filed by landlord against him
after he couldn’t pay rent as he could not find a job due to COVID-19 lockdown. The
family members alleged that police attacked the deceased at the behest of the
landlord who wanted to vacate them from the house, after which the deceased set
himself on fire as he was unable to bear the humiliation of being beaten up by police
in front of his family and neighbors.133
Case 9: Suicide by Nishu Chaudhary, Uttar Pradesh
On 8 August 2020, a 21-year-old woman identified as Nishu Chaudhary allegedly

committed suicide at her home after she and two other girls were allegedly tortured
at Orai Kotwali Police Station in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased woman,
a resident of Naya Ramnagar in the district, was picked up along with her two
friends by police and detained at Orai Kotwali police station in the afternoon of 7
August after some shopkeepers of Baldau Chowk market accused them of stealing.
The deceased’s family members alleged that the girls were subjected to mental
harassment and torture by police for close to eight hours at the police station. They
accused Inspector Yogesh Pathak of beating up Nishu at the police station during
interrogation and she was very disturbed since the beating by the police officer. The
girls were released on 7 August but were allegedly ordered by Inspector Pathak to
report back the following morning i.e. 8 August. Nishu was traumatized by the
torture and mental harassment and she allegedly committed suicide at her home.134
Case 10: Suicide by Sandip Bhatia, Punjab
On 11 August 2020, Sandip Bhatia (30 years) committed suicide at his home after he
was allegedly tortured in the custody of Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) at B
Division police station in Amritsar city in Amritsar district of Punjab. Sandip’s father
claimed that on 10 August 2020 he and his son were picked up by the CIA of B
Division police station in connection with a firing case. During interrogation, Sandip
was allegedly mentally tortured and humiliated in front of his father. After he was

Page 55 of 188


released, Sandip allegedly committed suicide at his homen 11 August on account of
mental torture and harassment in custody.135
Case 11: Suicide by Munnagi Rajasekhar Reddy, Andhra Pradesh
On 3 September 2020, Munnagi Rajasekhar Reddy (26 years) committed suicide due
to alleged custodial torture at Kanchikacherla police station in Krishna district,
Andhra Pradesh. Reddy, a resident of Paritala village in the district, was arrested
along with five of his friends while playing cards on the night of 2 September 2020
but they were released on bail on the same night. According to the family members,
following his release he put a post on social media platforms lauding a local Telugu
Desam Party leader who helped him in securing his release. Thereafter, when he
went to the Kanchikacherla police station to collect his belongings, the police
allegedly beat up and humiliated him again. Unable to bear the alleged torture and
humiliation, he committed suicide by jumping into the Krishna River during the night
of 3 September.136
Case 12: Suicide by Navneet, Gujarat
On 29 September 2020, Navneet (25 years), S/o Lakha Herbha committed suicide
following alleged custodial torture by the Crime Branch police at Magharvada village
of Keshod taluka in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. He committed suicide by jumping
into a well. Police claimed that on 29 September the deceased was called along with
four other youths for questioning over the suspicion of their involvement in a murder
which took place in 2017. Police claimed that Navneet and others were released
after taking their DNA samples. However, the deceased’s father alleged that his son
was tortured by the police during interrogation, and unable to bear the torture took
the extreme step.137
Case 13: Suicide by Pintu Diwakar, a Dalit, Uttar Pradesh
On 2 October 2020, a Dalit identified as Pintu Diwakar (25 years), a resident of

Dheerpura village in Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh, committed suicide after
alleged custodial torture at Nagla Singhi police station in the district. Pintu was
picked up and taken to the police station on 29 September 2020 on suspicion in a
loot case. On 2 October, he was found hanging from a tree in a field near his house.
Police claimed that on 29 September Pintu was called for questioning in the loot
case, after which he was released. The deceased’s elder brother, Hari Om alleged
that Pintu was booked in a false case of loot, after which he was tortured and given
electric shocks throughout the night at the police station, due to which he sustained
serious injuries in his limbs, back and chest. He was unable to eat and walk properly.

135. Complaint dated 12.08.2020 filed by Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC (Case
No. 538/19/1/2020)
136. NHRC Case No. 1886/1/10/2020
137. NHRC Case No. 913/6/11/2020-AD
Page 56 of 188


He further alleged that the police personnel allowed his brother to return home only
after an assurance from the family that he would pay Rs 50,000, or else he would be
again picked up in connection with the case. Unable to bear the pressure of
arranging Rs 50,000 to be paid to the police, he allegedly committed suicide.138
Case 14: Suicide by Deepu, Haryana
On 3 October 2020, Deepu (23 years) committed suicide due to alleged custodial
torture at Sadar Bazar police station in Sadar Bazar area in Karnal district of
Haryana. Deepu was arrested by police for interrogation in a case registered against
his younger brother who was absconding. According to the family members, Deepu
was subjected to custodial torture by police who also demanded bribe and kept
harassing him to reveal the whereabouts of his brother. Following the custodial
torture and continuous harassment by police, Deepu committed suicide by hanging
himself at his residence on 3 October.139
Case 15: Suicide of four family members, Andhra Pradesh

On 3 November 2020, a family of four committed suicide by jumping under a
running goods train in Nandyal of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. They took the
extreme step unable to bear the repeated harassment and torture by police in
connection with two theft cases. Their bodies were found on the Kouluru railway
tracks near Panyam railway station. The hapless family recorded a suicide note on a
video, pleading innocence in the theft cases. The video came to light three days
later. The deceased were identified as Sheikh Abdul Salam (45 years), wife
Noorjahan (38 years), their children Salma (14 years) and Dada Khalandhar (10
years). The Nandyal-I town Police Inspector Somasekhar Reddy reportedly
summoned Salam several times and subjected him to harassment. According to
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gautami Shalini, who was supervising the
investigation, the Police Inspector was found to have subjected Salam to physical
and mental torture. Somasekhar Reddy and constable Gangadhar were booked
under IPC sections 323 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by
dangerous weapons or means), 306 (abetment of suicide), 506 (intimidating) and
509 (insulting the modesty of woman) of IPC. They both were suspended from
service and were arrested.140
Case 16: Suicide by Prabhas Tiwari, Uttar Pradesh
On 20 November 2020, Prabhas Tiwari (25 years) committed suicide after alleged
torture at Hargaon police station in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. Prabhas, a

138. NHRC Case No. 20555/24/28/2020
139. NHRC Case No. 2054/7/10/2020-ad
140. Andhra Pradesh: Police torture drives family of four to die by suicide in Nandyal town,
The Mumbai Mirror, 8 November 2020,
https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/andhra-pradesh-police-torture-drives-
family-of-four-to-suicide-in-nandyal-town/articleshowprint/79116258.cms?prtpage=1
Page 57 of 188


resident of Hargoan in the district, was picked up and taken to the police station on
18 November 2020 for allegedly harassing a police constable. Police claimed that
after being released from the police station on 18 November he had attempted to
commit suicide in the night of 20 November by consuming a poisonous substance.
He was taken to the district hospital in Sitapur and then referred to King George''s
Medical University in Lucknow where he died during treatment. The family members
alleged that Prabhas was beaten up at the police station, due to which he committed
suicide. The family members stated that a suicide note was left by him, in which he
stated that he was humiliated and made to pay Rs 10,000 by the police for his
release.141
Case 17: Suicide by T Gangadhar, Telangana
On 5 December 2020, T Gangadhar (43 years) committed suicide at his home

following alleged custodial torture at Nizamabad police station in Nizamabad district
of Telangana. Gangadhar, a resident of Nayavanandi village under Sirkonda Mandal
in the district, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in his
village after he was subjected to torture in the custody of Nizamabad police station.
He was first summoned for questioning in the month of October 2020 in connection
with a murder case. The deceased’s wife Mallavva alleged that her husband was
tortured at the police station to extract a confession during interrogation. Thereafter,
he was constantly harassed by the police in connection with the investigation.
Unable to bear the physical as well as mental torture, the deceased allegedly
committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree in his village.142
C. Torture in custody not resulting to death
There are no statistics on torture not resulting in deaths. Unlike custodial deaths in
which the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of every district are
required to report every death in the custody within 24 hours of its occurrence to the
National Human Rights Commission, the authorities are not required to report cases
of torture not resulting in death in custody. The NHRC does record cases of torture
not resulting in death but the data do not reflect the actual situation.
In 2020, NCAT documented a number of cases of torture in police custody not

resulting in deaths. The survivors were subjected to custodial torture which included
beating with sticks, belt and rods, hitting with boots, giving elbow blows, punching,
stripping, burning with cigarette, giving electric shocks in private parts, forcing to lie
down on their stomach and beaten, food deprivation, etc.
Case 1: Torture of Tokivi Yeptho at Zunheboto police station, Nagaland
On 8 January 2020, Tokivi Yeptho (35 years) was allegedly tortured by police at
Zunheboto police station in Zunheboto district in the state of Nagaland. The victim, a

142. NHRC Case No. 1975/36/8/2020
Page 58 of 188


resident of Suruhoto town in the district, was arrested by police on 26 December
2019 for his alleged involvement in a robbery and murder case that took place in
Suruhoto town on 25 December 2019. During interrogation, the victim was allegedly
subjected to torture to extract confession. The victim’s father stated that after arrest
on 26 December, his son was placed under police custody for questioning for five
days till 30 December. Again, the victim was remanded to police custody from 7-9
January for further investigation. The victim’s father further stated that in the night
of 8 December, his son was subjected to torture to extract confession. As a result
the victim received serious injuries and had to be admitted at a hospital where he
was battling for life.143
Case 2: Torture of Sumit Goswami at Madanpur police station, Uttar

Pradesh
On 8 January 2020, Sumit Goswami was picked up by police on suspicion of mobile

theft and brought to Madanpur police station in Deoria district in Uttar Pradesh
where he was allegedly subjected to torture. A First Information Report (FIR) was
registered against three constables of the police station after a video surfaced
showing them beating the accused. After the video became viral, the three
policemen identified as constables Mauleshwar Singh and Jitendra Yadav and a
Diwan (police clerk) Lal Bihari were suspended and an inquiry was ordered.144
Case 3: Torture of Bimal Khilo and Besu Khilo at Semiliguda police station,
Odisha
On 11 February 2020, Bimal Khilo (25 years) and Besu Khilo (27 years) were
allegedly subjected to custodial torture and harassment at Semiliguda police station
in Koraput district in Odisha. The victims, who were farmers from Mathlamba village
in the district, were picked up by police on 11 February on suspicion of having links
with the Maoists. Police claimed that the two youths were only interrogated and
released thereafter. However, the family members of the victims accused the police
of subjecting them to torture and harassment at the police station and demanded
action against the accused police personnel.145
Case 4: Torture of Raju Mahant at Patana police station, Odisha
On 25 March 2020, Raju Mahant (20 years) was allegedly subjected to custodial
torture by woman police officer identified as Inspector Sandhyarani Jena In-Charge
of Patana police station in Keonjhar district of Odisha. The victim, a resident of
Talasarua village in the district, was arrested by police on the same day along with
three other persons in connection with a land dispute. After being arrested they

144. Ibid
145. NHRC Case No. 780/18/8/2020
Page 59 of 188


were taken to Patana police station, where the victim was beaten up by the woman
police officer.146
Case 5: Torture and arbitrary arrest of Mohammad Yaseen Sheikh, J&K
On 26 March 2020, Mohammad Yaseen Sheikh, Chairman of the Block Development

Council in Vilgam area, Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was allegedly
beaten and taken into custody while he was returning home from the local primary
health centre in Vilgam. He was dragged out of his car and then taken to the police
station. The victim alleged that he was not given food in the police lock up and was
not allowed to meet family members. He was released on bail two days later.147
Case 6: Torture of Pal Ambaliya at Pradyumannagar police station, Gujarat
On 20 May 2020, Pal Ambaliya (55 years), a farmers’ activist, was allegedly
subjected to torture in police custody at Pradyumannagar police station in Rajkot
district, Gujarat. The victim, a resident of Rajkot area, was first arrested by the
police on 20 May along with four other persons for allegedly holding demonstration
at the District Collector’s office over the plight of onion and cotton growers. They
were released after some time but in the evening Pal Ambaliya was re-arrestsed and
taken to the Pradyumannagar police station where he was tortured by police. The
victim suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalised.148
Case 7: Torture of journalist Major Singh Punjabi, Punjab
On 22 May 2020, Major Singh Punjabi, a journalist with the Rozana Pehredar
newspaper was mercilessly beaten by the two ASIs of the Mohali police station
phase-1 at Gurdwara Kalgidhar Sahib Singh Sabha situated in Phase-4, Mohali in
Punjab when he went to cover the meeting of two groups. Despite giving his identity
as a journalist, the policemen forcibly pushed him in a private vehicle bearing a
Haryana number and took him to the phase-1 police station at Mohali. “Before, I
could even step out of the vehicle, ASI Om Prakash started beating me with a stick.
The duo dragged me to the lockup, where I was not only tortured, abused and
humiliated but they also pushed away my turban. My repeated pleas not to touch
my turban went unheard and they even threw my ‘kangha’ (wooden comb for the
hair, part of the five symbols of Sikhism),” Major Singh said. He was admitted at Civil
Hospital, Mohali.149

146. NHRC Case No. 1359-18-7-2020
147. Jammu and Kashmir police use batons and FIRs to enforce COVID-19 lockdown,
hospitals struggle, The Caravan, 30 March 2020,
https://caravanmagazine.in/health/jammu-and-kashmir-police-use-batons-and-firs-to-
enforce-covid-19-lockdown-hospitals-struggle
148. NHRC Case No. 387/6/21/2020
149. Punjab Police Beat Senior Journalist, Reporter Booked for Astrology Story on Minister,
The Wire, 24 May 2020, https://thewire.in/media/punjab-police-beat-seniorjournalist-
reporter-booked-for-astrology-story-on-minister
Page 60 of 188


Case 8: Torture of S Manikandan at Tiruchendur police station, Tamil Nadu
On 7 June 2020, S Manikandan (32 years) was allegedly subjected to custodial

torture at Tiruchendur police station in Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu. The
victim, a resident of Tiruchendur in the district, was a hotel manager and was
working in Kerala. According to the victim, on 7 June some persons came to his
room in Kerala and introduced as police officers from Tiruchendur police station, and
he was handcuffed and taken to Tiruchendur police station on the charge of posting
a video on social media against an influential community. Before he was picked up,
the police allegedly took away all his cash, his ATM card, his identity document, etc.
The victim alleged that he was brutally beaten up including with iron rods in police
custody.150
Case 9: Torture of K. Narsimhulu at Keshampet police station, Telangana
On 6 July 2020, K. Narsimhulu (34 years) was allegedly tortured at Keshampet police
station under Cyberabad Commissionerate Hyderabad, capital city of Telangana
state. On 6 July, Narsimhulu, a resident of Pappireddiguda village under Keshampat
police station limits, was picked up by police on the charges of creating nuisance and
hurling abuses and detained at the police station. Narsimhulu alleged a Sub-
Inspector beat him up brutally with his belt during detention and as a result of the
beatings he sustained injuries and had to be shifted to hospital for treatment.151
Case 10: Torture of Tushar Goel and Promod at Beta 2 police station, Uttar
Pradesh
On 14 July 2020, Tushar Goel (18 years) and his uncle Promod were allegedly
tortured in custody at Beta 2 police station in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Uttar
Pradesh. Tushar, a resident of Greater Noida, ran a cigarette stall near Satyam
Complex in Greater Noida. In the night of 14 July, just as he was about to close his
shop around 9.30 pm, 7-8 police personnel arrived and demanded money (bribe)
from him. When Tushar stated that he had not made enough profits and would not
be able to pay them every day, they started beating him. According to Tushar, the
police would extort Rs 300 daily from him and when he refused to pay that day and
resisted, the policemen accused him of attacking men in uniform and dragged him
and his uncle Promod to the Beta 2 police station. At the police station, the police
beat them with sticks and rods in illegal custody for two days until they were
granted bail on 16 July. The victims alleged that the police even threatened to kill
them in fake encounter. Tushar’s mother, Kavita, also alleged that the police
extorted money from them to allow them the stall. Kavita claimed that the policemen
manhandled her, tore her clothes and pushed her around while detaining her son on

150. NHRC Case No. 6204/22/41/2020
No. 936/36/2/2020)
Page 61 of 188


14 July. On the other hand, the police lodged a false FIR against Tushar under IPC
sections 504 (intentional insult), 332 (whoever voluntarily causes hurt to any person
being a public servant) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant
from discharge of his duty).152
Case 11: Torture of Martin in police custody, Tamil Nadu
On 23 August 2020, Martin (33 years) was allegedly tortured in custody of a police
team from Sathankulam police station in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. The
victim, a resident of Taikka Street in the district, was picked up by four policemen
identified as Inspector Xavier, SI Raja, a constable Sabapathy and the Inspector's
driver Chinnadurai from his home at about 7 pm on 23 August. According to the
victim, the policemen beat him up right from his home, pushed him into a waiting
vehicle and sped off to the old police quarters behind the local government hospital,
Sathankulam. All through the night the four policemen beat him black and blue,
kicking him with their boots and punching till he nearly collapsed. The accused
policemen dragged him across the quarters causing his knees to bleed and
repeatedly hit the small of his back with their elbows. He sustained both internal and
external injuries and was unable to walk and suffered from breathlessness. The
victim’s wife Saroja and their 10-year-old son witnessed how the policemen beat up
the victim when he was being picked up from his home. His son fainted unable to
bear the sight of his father being brutalized by the policemen.153
Case 12: Torture of 18-year-old youth at Bindal police post, Uttarakhand
On 10 August 2020, an 18-year-old youth was allegedly tortured by a senior Indian

Police Service (IPS) officer and other police personnel at Bindal police chowki (post)
in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand. The victim, a resident of Bindal police chowki area
in Dehradun, was called at the police chowki and tortured by police personnel. The
accused senior IPS officer claimed that the youth was indulging in stalking of her
daughter in social media. However, the victim’s parents in a complaint submitted
with Uttarakhand Police headquarters alleged that on 10 August their son was asked
to go to the Bindal police chowki and when he reached there he was brutally beaten
up by the IPS officer and other police personnel. The family members alleged that
the police personnel took his clothes off, burnt him with a cigarette and also
threatened him with dire consequences if he told someone outside about the
incident.154

No. 12845/24/30/2020)
153. NHRC Case No. 6893/22/41/2020
No. 657/35/5/2020)
Page 62 of 188


Case 13: Torture of Jagrup Singh at Wahabwala police station, Punjab
On 2 September 2020, a farmer identified as Jagrup Singh (45 years) was allegedly
tortured at Wahabwala police station under Abohar Tehsil in Firozpur district,
Punjab. The victim, a resident of Kala Tibba village in the district, was arrested on
the same day by Head Constable Raj Kumar attached to the police station in
connection with an alleged domestic violence case. The victim alleged that he was
taken to the police station and tortured by the Head Constable. After the victim was
released from police custody, his mother Mango Devi admitted him to the Civil
Hospital at Firozpur for treatment.155
Case 14: Torture of Panna Lal Rajbhar at Southern police post, Uttar
Pradesh
On 2 September 2020, Panna Lal Rajbhar (35 years) was allegedly subjected to
torture at Southern police post in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. The victim, a
resident of Dhobai village of Rasra Tehsil in the district, was taken to the Southern
police post on 2 September for questioning over a family dispute matter. The victim
alleged that he was tortured by the police personnel at the police post. The victim’s
family members alleged that Panna Lal Rajbhar was brutally beaten by a SI and a
Head Constable inside the Southern police post, after which he had to be admitted
to a government hospital for medical treatment. The family members and villagers
protested over the incident by blocking roads.156
Case 15: Torture of Rajnikanth Dubey at Chainpur police station,

Jharkhand
On 8 October 2020, Rajnikanth Dubey (35 years) was allegedly tortured by Officer-
in-Charge named Sunit Kumar at Chainpur police station in Palamau district of
Jharkhand. The victim, a resident of Sonpurwa village in the district, was picked up
by police on 8 October from his house and detained at the police station on
suspicion of theft. The victim alleged that in police custody he was subjected to
torture to extract a confession to the crime which he did not commit. He was
allegedly given electric shocks on his private parts. He was released in the morning
of 9 October with the warning not to reveal the torture to anyone.157
Case 16: Third degree torture of Joydhan Chakma and Bimal Chakma at
Diyun police station, Arunachal Pradesh
On 25 November 2020, Joydhan Chakma and Bimal Chakma were issued a police
summon under Section 160 of the CrPC by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Inspector PK
Kalita of the Diyun police station in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh with a
direction to appear before him on 28 November in connection with a gambling case.

155. NHRC Case No. 585/19/5/2020
156. NHRC Case No. 17072/24/10/2020
157. NHRC Case No. 1123/34/15/2020
Page 63 of 188


Joydhan and Bimal claimed that they had no knowledge of the gambling case. In a
complaint filed with the SP, Changlang district the duo said they appeared at the
police station on the date specified by the OC. They were allegedly detained at the
Diyun police station on their arrival and put behind bars for three nights and two
days (28 to 30 November) without informing them of the grounds for arrest. The
duo claimed that the Diyun OC, in connivance with SI RK Yein, detained the duo
illegally and put them behind bars without following due process of law and that
they were subjected to custodial torture by means of third-degree while in custodial
detention. They were allegedly made to lie down on their stomach and beaten.158
Case 17: Third degree torture of Rajbir Singh in illegal custody, Punjab
On 27 December 2020, a warrant officer, during a raid at Crime Investigation

Agency (CIA) office, found that Rajbir Singh was detained by the special branch of
Punjab police illegally. Rajbir, husband of Pirthipur village Sarpanch Ranjit Kaur
claimed he was beaten by the police and given electric shocks. The victim, while
recuperating at the Civil Hospital alleged that he was detained for two days and
subjected to third-degree torture by the CIA staff. He alleged that he was thrashed
and given electric shocks. The High Court had issued a notice of motion for 8
January to the state and the SSP, Ropar regarding the case.159
D. Non-custodial torture
Non-custodial torture is rampant across India and occurs on daily basis. During
2020, the NCAT documented at least five deaths due to torture. Both the deceased
and survivors were subjected to torture which included beating with sticks, dragging
by the hair, punching a key into the forehead of the victim, outraging the modesty of
woman and forcible eviction.
Case 1: Death of Abdul Basheer, Uttar Pradesh
On 9 May 2020, Abdul Basheer (64 year) died due to alleged torture by the police
personnel at Bhasundara village in Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased’s
son, Ateeq alleged that on 9 May at around midnight about 12 police personnel
raided their house. They were actually looking for him (Ateeq) in connection with the
alleged killing of cattle in Bhasundara village. But unable to find him at the house,

158. Complaint against Diyun cops for alleged custodial torture, The Arunachal Times, 13
December 2020, https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/12/13/complaint-against-
diyun-cops-for-alleged-custodial-torture/
159. Punjab cops in spot over ‘illegal’ custody, The Tribune, 30 December 2020,
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-cops-in-spot-over-illegal-custody-
191267
Page 64 of 188


the police allegedly tortured the deceased and he succumbed to his injuries on the
same day.160
Case 2: Death of Phanidhar Borah, Assam
On 4 June 2020, Phanidhar Borah (51 years), a village defence party (VDP)
secretary, died due to alleged torture by two police personnel identified as
constables Ataur Rahman and Paresh Sharma attached to Jajori police station in
Nagaon district of Assam. On 2 June 2020, the deceased was allegedly brutally
beaten up by two accused police personnel after the deceased was allegedly
exposing corruption in the newly constructed Shiva Temple near Jajori police station.
The deceased sustained injuries due to beating and he was admitted to a hospital in
Nagaon. On 4 June, the deceased was referred to Guwahati for better treatment
when his condition’s deteriorated but he died on the same day during treatment at a
hospital in Guwahati.161
Case 3: Death of Sagar Chalavadi, Karnataka
On 27 June 2020, Sagar Chalavadi (18 years) died due to alleged torture by the
police at a Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination centre at
Huvina Hipparagi village in Bijapur district of Karnataka. The deceased, a resident of
Basavana Bagewadi taluka town in the district, was beaten up when he went to drop
off his sister to the SSLC Examination Centre on 27 June. The incident occurred
when he was waiting for his sister outside the examination centre. The Police
claimed that the deceased died of heart attack when he was running away from
them. The family members alleged that Sagar Chalavadi was brutally assaulted by
the police outside the SSLC Examination Centre in suspicion of his involvement in
malpractice at the exam centre.162
Case 4: Death of Maqbool, Uttar Pradesh
On 19 September 2020, Maqbool (65 years) died due to alleged torture by police at
Babutara Majra village under Lalganj police station in Pratapgarh district of Uttar
Pradesh. According to the police, a team of eight policemen led by station house
officer (SHO) of Sangipur police station conducted a raid at the house of the
deceased at Babutara Majra village late on the night of 19 September in search of an
accused and the deceased fled after seeing the policemen and died a hour after the
raid. However, the family members alleged that Maqbool was tortured by the police
during raid and died as a result.163
Case 5: Death of a farmer Khemlal Mahto, Jharkhand

160. NHRC Case No. 8492/24/7/2020-pcd
161. NHRC Case No. 107/3/23/2020
162. NHRC Case No. 323/10/5/2020
163. NHRC Case No. 18712/24/59/2020-AD
Page 65 of 188


On 10 November 2020, Khemlal Mahto (45 years) died due to alleged torture by a
police officer at Chhotkipona village in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand. The deceased,
a farmer, was beaten by Sub-Inspector (SI) Jeetendra Kumar Mahto alias Mantu
Kumar, as punishment after his cow entered the SI’s farmland and ate up some
cauliflowers. The deceased’s wife Savitri Devi alleged that her husband was
mercilessly beaten by the SI and he succumbed to the injuries at the Sadar
hospital.164
Case 6: Beating and stripping of transgenders, Maharashtra
On 16 June 2020, Maya (35 years), a transgender, was allegedly stripped naked and
beaten by the police personnel attached to Dharavi police station in Dharavi area of
Mumbai city in Maharashtra. Due to the beating, Maya was critically injured and had
to be admitted to hospital. The police also beaten and stripped other
transgenders.165
Case 7: Brutal beating of a youth, Uttar Pradesh
On 24 June 2020, a youth was tortured by police in public view in Ghaziabad district
in Uttar Pradesh. Two policemen, including a traffic police personal brutally beat up
the youth who was on a two-wheeler in the name of vehicle checking on Hapur
Road in Ghaziabad. In a video shot by a passerby, the policeman could be seen
kicking the youth in the middle of the road. Later, another policeman joined the
traffic policeman in beating the youth.166
Case 8: Beating of Dr Amit Patidar, Madhya Pradesh
On 1 July 2020, a doctor identified as Dr Amit Patidar (about 39 years) was allegedly
tortured by a drunken police constable identified as Raju Nikode at district hospital in
Ujjain district of Madhya Pradesh. The constable was in drunken state when he went
to visit the hospital to get himself examined on the day the incident took place.167
Case 9: Beating of freelance journalist Gowhar Ali Wani, J&K
On 15 April 2020, Gowhar Ali Wani (21 years), a freelance journalist alleged that the
police beat him up and arrested his father in Handwara in Jammu & Kashmir. The
journalist claimed he had opposed the usage of disgusting language by the SHO of
Villagam police station, following which two policemen in civvies came to his house

164. NHRC Case No. 1215/34/23/2020-PCD
165. NHRC Case No. 686/13/16/2020
166. NHRC Case No. 11311/24/31/2020
No. 1378/12/47/2020)
Page 66 of 188


and asked him to come with them. When he asked the reason, they slapped and
assaulted him.168
Case 10: Torture of Deepak, Uttarakhand
On 27 July 2020, a youth identified as Deepak (about 28 years) was allegedly

tortured by the police at Indira Chauraha of Rudrapur city in Udham Singh Nagar
district of Uttarakhand. In a video posted by Mojo, a media platform in twitter, the
victim, a resident of Rampura Ward No. 23 of Rudrapur city under Udham Singh
Nagar district of Uttarakhand, alleged that in the night of 27 July, when he was
returning home with his friend, Prempal after filling petrol in his bike from Indira
Chowk, the police placed a key on his forehead and punched it into his forehead
after an argument over bike papers. In the video the key with key chain was seen
struck into the victim’s forehead. The victim was grievously injured but the police did
not take him to hospital.169
Case 11: Torture of a Dalit couple and their forced eviction, Madhya
Pradesh
On 15 July 2020, a Dalit couple identified as Rajkumar Ahirwar (38 years) and his
wife Savitri (35 years) were assaulted and evicted by the police in Guna in Madhya
Pradesh. On 15 July 2020, a team from the state revenue department, accompanied
by police, evicted the Dalit family from a plot of land to construct a boundary wall.
When the Dalit couple resisted the forcible eviction, the police brutally beat them up,
and outraged modesty of the Dalit woman in full public view. The police and the
revenue officials also destroyed the standing crop of the Dalit family. A video of the
assault on the Dalit family went viral in social media. As a result the Dalit couple
consumed pesticide in an attempt to kill themselves. They were later admitted to the
hospital for treatment.170
Case 12: Torture of Prem Singh Granthi, Madhya Pradesh
On 7 August 2020, Prem Singh Granthi (about 34 years) was tortured by the police
at Rajpur Tehsil under Pulsood police outpost in Barwani district of Madhya Pradesh.
The victim, who ran a lock-keys shop near the Pulsood police outpost was dragged
by hair and trashed by police on 7 August after an argument broke out between his
family members and police. The incident came to the light after a video went viral on

168. Handwara scribe accuses police of assault, father detained, The Kashmir Wallah, 15 April
2020, https://thekashmirwalla.com/2020/04/handwara-scribe-accuses-police-of-assault-
father-detained/
169. Complaint dated 28.07.2020 filed by the National Campaign Against Torturewith the
NHRC (Case No. 692/35/12/2020)
No. 1439/12/17/2020)
Page 67 of 188


social media. The victim alleged that he was beaten up and pulled by the hair on the
road in full public view by the police after he refused to pay them bribe.171
Case 13: Beating of 55-year-old Mahabir and his family members, Haryana
On 13 October 2020, several members of a blacksmith family including Mahabir

(about 55 years), his wife Pooja (50 years), his son Raju, and grandson Devi were
beaten by the police personnel outside the Alewa police station in Jind district of
Haryana. According to the victims, they were beaten up by police personnel of Alewa
police station when they were protesting outside the Alewa police station after the
police failed to initiate action against the robbers, who had looted their house some
days earlier. Mahabir alleged that instead of arresting the robbers the police brutally
thrashed them and inappropriately touched a woman member of his family. The
police also booked Mahabir, his wife Pooja, Raju, his son Devi, five unidentified
women and seven children under Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint),
383, 145 and 146 of the Indian Penal code to suppress their voice.172
2.2. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF DALITS AND TRIBALS
The Scheduled Tribes (also called ‘tribals’ or ‘Adivasis’) and Scheduled Castes (SCs)
(also known as Dalits) are disadvantaged sections of the society and face
caste/ethnic-based violence both from the police/security forces as well as upper
caste/general category people.
The NCAT documented a number of cases of torture including deaths in police
custody of Dalit and tribal people in police custody during 2020.
Case 1: Torture of eight Dalits, Gujarat
On 28 March 2020, eight Dalit men were picked up from their homes at Vikaliya
village in Botad district in Gujarat. They were taken to Dhhasa police station and
falsely booked for violating the lockdown protocols. They were allegedly tortured by
police in custody. The victims were allegedly picked up after a boy from the locality
allegedly violated the lockdown on 25 March. The boy was warned and also beaten.
Two days later, a police team arrived and picked up the eight victims.173

No. 1695/12/2/2020)
172. NHRC Case No. 1755/7/8/2020
173. Gujarat: Probe ordered into ‘police brutality’ on Dalits during lockdown, Indian Express,
30 March 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-police-brutality-on-
dalits-during-lockdown-6339140/
Page 68 of 188


Case 2: Torture of two Dalit youths, Punjab
On 6 May 2020, two Dalit youths identified as Simranjeet Singh and Lakhbir Singh
were illegally detained and tortured at Sandaur police station in Sangrur district of
Punjab. Both victims are cousins and residents of Manki village in the district. On 6
May, the victims were first allegedly beaten up by four police officials at Manki
village. The victims alleged that the police personnel stopped them and asked to
accompany them to the police station in connection with some cases. When
Simranjeet Singh asked them for their identity, they started beating him and
snatched Rs 20,000 from his cousin Lakhvir Singh and thereafter the police
personnel left them. In the evening both victims were allegedly again beaten up and
illegally detained when they went to file a complaint at Sandaur police station
against the four police personnel who had allegedly taken away Rs 20,000 from
them. The victims alleged that they were tortured by police personnel who even
poured petrol on Simranjeet Singh’s private parts. Lakhbir Singh sustained minor
injuries, while Simranjeet Singh had to be admitted to Malerkotla Civil Hospital.
Later, on 7 May evening the victims were released after their families protested.
Jagga Singh, former Sarpanch of Kasba Bharal village and uncle of the victims
alleged that his nephews Simranjeet Singh and Lakhbir Singh were tortured by ASI
Sukhwinder Singh and home guard Kesar Singh of Sandaur police station and kept
them in illegal confinement.174
Case 3: Illegal detention and torture of Dalit Kuldeep Singh, Punjab
On 28-31 May 2020, a Dalit identified as Kuldeep Singh (45 years), S/o Sukhdev
Singh was allegedly illegally detained and tortured in police custody at Sangat police
station in Bathinda district of Punjab. The victim, a farm worker was working along
with his father Sukhdev Singh and family members at the farm owned by one Hamir
Singh at Jai Singh Wala village of Bathinda. The victim claimed that on 28 May, he
was first allegedly kidnapped by some unidentified persons at the behest of his farm
owner Hamir Singh, a highly-influential person and a former sarpanch of Jai Singh
Wala village of Bathinda over a monetary issue. The victim stated that during his
abduction he was put in an accommodation where he was allegedly beaten up by
Harmir Singh, Gurditta Singh, Baldev Singh and Harjit Singh. Later, they accused him
of stealing and handed him over to the Sangat police station. The victim’s family
members alleged that the victim was subjected to torture by CIA-2 Bathinda police
(Sangat police station). On 31 May evening, the victim was released after the
intervention of the various farm unions. The victim suffered serious injuries and was
hospitalized due to police brutality during 28-31 May illegal detention.175

174. NHRC Case No. 286/19/18/2020
175. NHRC Case No. 351/19/2/2020
Page 69 of 188


Case 4: Torture of tribal Rajendra Valvai, Gujarat
On 16 June 2020, 38-year-old tribal Rajendra Valvai was allegedly subjected to

torture by Police Inspector Kripalsinh Jhala at Limdi police station in Surendranagar
district, Gujarat. The victim was picked up from a toll plaza at National Highway-47
in Limdi by the accused police officer on 16 June reportedly upon receiving a
complaint of non-payment of toll lodged by the toll plaza manager. However, the
victim alleged that he wanted to file a complaint against the toll operator who
misbehaved with him. But the accused police officer took him to his chamber in the
police station, where he was tortured and abused for being a tribal.176
Case 5: Beating of a Dalit and his wife, Madhya Pradesh
On 15 July 2020, a Dalit couple identified as Rajkumar Ahirwar (38 years) and his
wife Savitri (35 years) were brutally beaten up by the police in Guna district in
Madhya Pradesh. On 15 July, a team from the state revenue department,
accompanied by police, evicted the Dalit family from a plot of land to construct a
boundary wall. When the Dalit couple resisted the forcible eviction, the police
brutally beat them up, and outraged modesty of the Dalit woman in full public view.
The police and the revenue officials also destroyed the standing crop of the Dalit
family. Following the assault and eviction, the Dalit couple consumed pesticide in an
attempt to kill themselves and they had to be hospitalised for treatment.177
Case 6: Torture and ill-treatment of Dalit Vara Prasad
On 20 July 2020, a Dalit man identified as Vara Prasad was beaten and his head and
moustache shaved allegedly by police at the behest of Member of Legislative
Assembly (MLA) inside a police station in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.
The victim suffered severe injuries during the custodial torture that took place in his
mother’s presence. Three policemen were suspended and arrested.178
Case 7: Torture of Marri Jagan, Andhra Pradesh

On 4 August 2020, a Dalit identified as Marri Jagan (36 years) was allegedly tortured
at Kasibugga police station in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. The victim, a
resident of Tekkalipatnam village of Palasa mandal under Kasibugga police station in
Srikakulam district, was tortured by the police in the evening of 4 August when he
and his mother went to the Kasibugga police station to lodge a complaint in
connection with a dispute over land patta (document) with his neighbor, who is

176. Gujarat: Police inspector booked for ‘assaulting tribal man, using casteist slurs’, The
Indian Express, 26 June 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/police-
inspector-booked-casteist-slurs-tribal-man-6477871/
177. NHRC Case No. 1439/12/17/2020
178. Dalit Man Beaten, Head Shaved Allegedly By Andhra Cops On MLA's Prodding, NDTV, 22
July 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/andhra-pradesh-news/dalit-man-beaten-head-shaved-
in-a-police-station-in-andhra-pradesh-three-cops-arrested-after-suspension-2266882
Page 70 of 188


connected to a political party and wants to vacate the victim and his family from
their house. The victim alleged that the accused police inspector C. Venugopal
suddenly got angry and kicked him out of the police station and slapped him
repeatedly. The accused police inspector also allegedly repeatedly kicked the victim
on his private parts, even as his aged mother struggled to protect him. The incident
came to the light after a video went viral on social media, where the police inspector
was seen kicking and beating the man outside the police station in front of his aged
mother.179
Case 8: Torture of three Dalit children and their mother, Punjab
On 7 August 2020, three minor children and their mother belonging to Dalit
community were allegedly tortured by the police at Ajitwal police station in Moga
district of Punjab. The victims, residents of Ajitwal police station area in the district,
were picked up and mercilessly beaten up by police at Ajitwal police station on 7
August in connection with an alleged theft case. In a written complaint, the father of
the victims Jagjit Singh, who was a laborer, alleged that SHO Jaswinder Singh and
ASI Balwinder Singh took his three children in the lock-up and removed their clothes,
after which his children were beaten up. He alleged that when his wife went to the
police station for enquiry, she was also assaulted by the police personnel at the
police station. He demanded action against the accused police personnel.180
Case 9: Torture of 12 Chakma tribal youths, Mizoram
On 4 September 2020, 12 Chakma tribal youths including two minors, both aged 17
years, were illegally detained by the police at Lawngtlai district of Mizoram. The
victims, who were residents of Kamalanagar in Chakma Autonomous District Council
in Lawngtlai district, were arrested on the suspicion of beating a person belonging to
majority Mizo community during the night of 3 September 2020. The victims were
arrested merely based on suspicion without any inquiry by police. They were
allegedly subjected to physical and mental torture in police custody as well as in the
jail. All of them including minors (names withheld) were illegally detained at the
Lawngtlai district jail on 4 September 2020. The other victims were identified as
Manod Chakma (21 years), S/o Lilamoy Chakma, Hriday Chakma, S/o Mohan
Chakma (21 years), Shibil Chakma (21 years), Mongola Chakma (20 years), S/o
Juddha Ranjan Chakma, Binoy Shankar Chakma (21 years), S/o Doyamoy Chakma,
Santosh Chakma (20 years), S/o Jubaraj Chakma, Romend Chakma (22 years), S/o
Nutun Chakma, Aloran Chakma (21 years), S/o Debarshi Chakma, and Johnson
Chakma (22 years), S/o Subhash Kusum Chakma.181

179. Complaint dated 06.08.2020 filed by Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC. Video of
the incident is available in Twitter at
https://twitter.com/i/status/1290871786708451329
180. NHRC Case No. 535/19/12/2020
181. NHRC Case No. Case No.- 4/16/6/2020
Page 71 of 188


Case 10: Torture of three Dalits, Gujarat
On 6 September 2020, three Dalits identified as Prakash Chavda (40 years), Devraj
Chavda and Hasmukh Chavda were subjected to torture in police custody at Limbdi
police station in Surendranagar district, Gujarat. The victims, residents of Limbdi
taluka in Surendranagar district, were arrested in connection with selling and
consumption of country liquor on 6 September. One of the victims, Prakash Chavda,
alleged that after arrest, he and other suspects namely Devraj Chavda and Hasmukh
Chavda were taken to the Limbdi police station where they were first flogged with
belt by SI Sanjay Varu. Thereafter, they were beaten mercilessly by two other police
personnel who also passed casteist remarks at them.182
Case 11: Torture of a tribal Laffe Paffa, Arunachal Pradesh
On 1 October 2020, 45-year-old tribal Laffe Paffa was allegedly tortured by Sonam
Namge, a personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) at Itanagar police station
in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh. According to the victim, a resident of
Upper C Sector in Itanagar, on 1 October 2020 when he was driving down to C
Sector, he lost control of his vehicle and hit an electric pole to avoid an accident
near Itanagar police station. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel
brought him to the Itanagar police station where he was detained in the lock-up.
The victim claimed that he was tortured by Sonam Namge till he lost his
consciousness inside the lockup cell. The victim was taken for a medical examination
to the RK Mission Hospital where the accused again punched him and threatened to
kill him if he informed the doctors about the assault. The victim was released from
custody at around 1 am on 2 October.183
Case 12: Torture of a 16-year-old tribal boy, Odisha
On 21 November 2020, a 16-year-old minor tribal boy was allegedly subjected to

custodial torture at Patna police station in Keonjhar district, Odisha. The victim, a
resident of Kameswarpurpatna village in the district, was summoned to the police
station on 21 November in connection with a theft case. When he reached at the
Patna police station with his family members, the police told the parents that the
boy would be released soon after interrogation. The victim was released at around 4
pm on the same day. The family members of the victim alleged that the boy was
brutally beaten up in custody and he was unable to stand or walk by himself. As the
victim was also injured on his legs, the parents admitted him to a nearby hospital.184

182. NHRC Case No. 774/6/24/2020
183. Man accuses IRBn jawan of brutal assault, claims police booked erring jawan under
lenient sections, The Arunachal Times, 11 November 2020,
https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/11/11/man-accuses-irbn-jawan-of-brutal-
assault-claims-police-booked-erring-jawan-under-lenient-sections/
184. See https://ommcomnews.com/odisha-news/tribal-minor-boy-alleges-torture-by-
police-in-keonjhar
Page 72 of 188


2.3. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF WOMEN
Torture of women in custody is reported regularly in India. Custodial rape remains

one of the worst forms of torture perpetrated on women by law enforcement
personnel.
The NCAT documented a number of cases of custodial torture of women including

custodial rape during the year. At least three custodial rapes were reported of which
two were minors and another victim was a gang rape victim.
Case 1: Rape of a 30-year-old tribal woman by two GRP personnel, Assam
On 8 January 2020, a 30-year-old tribal woman was raped by two Government

Railway Police (GRP) constables identified as Sharif Uddin Barbhuiya (43 years) and
Uttam Das (40 years) in Silchar Railway Station under Silchar Sadar police station in
Cachar district of Assam. The victim, a resident of Mizoram, stated that on 8 January
night, she went to the Silchar Railway Station with her friend. When they were
waiting at the railway station they were approached by the two accused GRP
constables Sharif Uddin Barbhuiya and Uttam Das posted at GRP outpost under
Silchar Sadar police station in the Silchar Railway Station. The victim further claimed
that the two constables took them to a place near the GRP outpost where she was
allegedly rape by the two constables.185
Case 2: Rape of 21-year-old woman by a police constable, Gujarat
On 14 March 2020, a 21-year-old woman was raped by Constable Surajsinh Chauhan

attached to Laxmipura police station near a canal on Gotri-Ankodia Road in
Vadodara district of Gujarat. The victim, a resident of Laxmipura under Laxmipura
police station of Vadodara district, stated that on 14 March at around 8.30 pm when
she was sitting on a bike along with her male friend near the canal two police
personnel identified as Constable Surajsinh Chauhan and Rasik Chauhan (driver) of
police control room (PCR) van approached them and began questioning them. After
a brief interrogation Constable Surajsinh Chauhan threatened and demanded Rs
5,000 from them to let them go. The victim’s friend pleaded to the police that he did
not have so much cash and offered to transfer money by his Paytm account.
However, the police wanted cash and accordingly Rasik Chauhan, the driver, took
the man to a nearby petrol pump, where he collected Rs. 5,000 in cash. In the
meantime, Constable Surajsinh Chauhan took the girl to an old dilapidated and
abandoned house nearby and allegedly raped her.186

185. NHRC Case No. 22/3/2/2020-WC
186. NHRC Case No. 294/6/25/2020-WC
Page 73 of 188


Case 3: Rape of a 16-year-old tribal girl, Delhi
On 17 June 2020, a 16-year-old girl from Jharkhand was raped by two GRP
constables at the New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi. The victim, a resident of Ranchi
in Jharkhand who worked as a domestic help in East Delhi, stated that on 17 June
she went to the New Delhi Railway Station to go back to her home in Ranchi. When
she was waiting at the railway station she was approached by the two accused GRP
constables on the pretext of helping her to board a train to Jharkhand. But the two
GRP constables took her to a secluded place nearby and allegedly gang-raped her.187
Case 4: Repeated rape of a minor tribal girl in police custody
On 1 July 2020, Ananda Majhi, Inspector-In-Charge of Biramitrapur police station in

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected Sundargarh district was arrested and dismissed
from service for raping a 13-year-old tribal girl inside the police station for several
months. The minor victim was also raped by another five persons including a police
personnel of Biramitrapur police station. The victim was also forced to go for
abortion. Initially, the police attempted to hush up the case. The crime came to the
light after the child, who was seen crying outside the police station a few days ago,
was rescued by a local NGO and later handed over to the child welfare committee
(CWC) in Sundargarh. The girl told the CWC that she had come to Biramitrapur to
watch a local fair a few days before lockdown in March 2020. While she was waiting
to catch an auto-rickshaw to return her home, the Biramitrapur police patrolling van
spotted her and took her to the police station where Majhi allegedly raped her. She
alleged that the local police dropped her in her village. But Majhi often allegedly
called her to the police station and raped her.188
Case 5: Repeated gang-rape of a minor girl in custody, Haryana
In July 2020, a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by police repeatedly for
about 10 times at a police station in Sonipat district in Haryana. Another girl (20
years), cousin of the minor victim, was also sexually assaulted in police custody.
Both the victims were arrested by the police on 2 July 2020 in connection with the
murder of two police personnel in the same month. In a petition filed before the
Punjab and Haryana High Court on 3 November 2020, the mother of the minor
victim stated that her minor daughter was gang-raped around 10 times after her
arrest in the case, while the 20-year old victim was molested. According to the
petitioner, foreign objects were also inserted inside their private parts during police

187. NHRC Case No. 2521/30/0/2020-PCR
188. Former inspector dismissed for 'raping' minor inside police station in Odisha, The Times
of India, 1 July 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/former-
inspector-dismissed-for-raping-minor-inside-police-station-in-
odisha/articleshowprint/76723659.cms & Odisha Police Sacks Cop Over Conduct in Minor's
Rape Case, Apologises to Survivor, The Wire, 2 July 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/odisha-
tribal-minor-rape-case
Page 74 of 188


custody. She also claimed that despite an FIR about the custodial gang-rape, the
police were yet to take any action against the guilty police personnel, wherein she
had specifically named three police personnel against whom FIR was filed. Taking
cognizance of the serious allegations levelled by the petitioner, the High Court issued
notice to the Haryana government, DGP, Haryana and Superintendent of Police,
Sonipat District, seeking their reply on the contentions raised in the petition. The
petitioner also sought medical examination for the victims.189
Case 6: Death of Ms Kethavath Sakri, Telangana
On 17 October 2020, Ms Kethavath Sakri (50 years) died due to alleged custodial
torture at Adavidevulapally police station in Nalgonda district of Telangana. The
victim, a resident of Ulshayapalem village of Adavidevulapally mandal in the district,
was arrested on 16 October 2020 for allegedly engaging in preparation of illicit
liquor. The deceased was released on the same day in the night but she succumbed
to the injuries the next day. The family members alleged that Ms Kethavath Sakri
was tortured in police custody after being taken to the Adavidevulapally police
station. Immediately following her release, she was taken to a private hospital
because of unbearable pain and she died at the hospital the next day. The family
members stated that they saw injuries on the deceased’s upper body.190
Case 7: Torture of a Dalit gang-rape survivor, Uttar Pradesh
On 18 November 2020, a Dalit gang-rape survivor from Nare village in Ayodhya,

Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly subjected to custodial torture by two woman police
constables when she had gone to the police station to record her statement. The
victim stated that the two women police constables pressured her to change her
statement. They kicked her and even used their belts to beat her. She was even
asked to take off her clothes. On the complaint of the survivor, the two women
constables identified as Neetu and Shikha were removed from the Maharajganj
police station and placed under suspension.191
Case 8: Custodial rape of a gang-rape survivor, Uttar Pradesh
On 30 November 2020, a 35-year-old gang-rape victim was allegedly raped by a

Sub-Inspector at Jalalabad police station in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
The victim, a resident of a village under Jalalabad police station in the district, stated
on 30 November she was on the way to Madanpur when five unknown persons

189. ‘Custodial gang-rape’ plea: Notice to Haryana, The Times of India, 4 November 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/custodial-gang-rape-plea-notice-to-
haryana/articleshowprint/79031804.cms
190. NHRC Case No. 1674/36/7/2020-AD
191. Ayodhya gang-rape survivor, who went to complain, allegedly beaten up by constables,
The Week, 19 November 2020, https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/11/19/ayodhya-
gang-rape-survivor-who-went-to-complain-allegedly-beaten-up-by-constables.html
Page 75 of 188


came in a car and forcibly dragged her to a nearby field and gang-raped her. The
victim immediately went to the Jalalabad police station to report the matter where a
Sub Inspector took her to an adjoining room inside the police station and raped her.
According to her, the accused police officer took her to the room on the pretext of
filing her complaint.192
Case 9: Rape of a Dalit woman by a police officer, Uttar Pradesh
In December 2020, a police inspector in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh was

suspended for allegedly raping a 45-year-old Dalit woman on the pretext of helping
her in a 2018 dowry case. Posted with Aligarh Police, the accused police officer was
investigating a dowry harassment case lodged by the woman’s daughter against her
in-laws. The victim alleged that the accused would call her to a hotel on the pretext
of sharing dowry case related documents and information and raped her in October
2020. The victim was threatened even after the accused was suspended.193
2.4. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF CHILDREN
Across India, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
remains poorly implemented. The JJ Act protects the rights of the “juveniles in
conflict with law” and the “child in need of care and protection”. The lack of
implementation of the JJ Act means that children are often illegally detained at
police stations and prisons, and subjected to torture.
The NCAT documented death of four children due to torture during police custody
and two cases of the death due to alleged torture in juvenile homes and a number
of cases of torture of children not resulting in death in 2020 as highlighted below:
Case 1: Death of 16-year-old boy due to alleged torture in a remand home,

Karnataka
On 14 June 2020, a 16-year-old boy died due to alleged torture by the home guard
volunteers at remand home in Devinagar area under Kaul Bazar police station of
Bellari district in Karnataka. The deceased minor, a resident of Koppal district, was
reportedly admitted into a remand home at Devinagar on 14 June in connection with
a case registered against him under the provisions of Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Act. On the same day, within a short period the deceased was
allegedly beaten to death by the home guard volunteers.194

193. Aligarh cop suspended for ‘raping’ Dalit woman who sought help in dowry case, The
Indian Express, 6 December 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/aligarh-cop-
suspended-for-raping-dalit-woman-who-sought-help-in-dowry-case-7093402/
194. NHRC Case No. 459/10/3/2020-DH
Page 76 of 188


Case 2: Death of 17-year-old due to alleged torture in juvenile home,
Gujarat
On 27 October 2020, a 17-year-old boy identified as Ritik Parmar died due to alleged
torture by police and officials of a remand home in Khanpur in Ahmedabad district of
Gujarat. The deceased, a resident of Komal Park in Isanpur area in the district, was
summoned by the police to appear at the Isanpur police station along with two other
boys in connection with a scuffle with his neighbor. The deceased’s uncle, Gangaram
Parmar stated that on 23 October 2020 Ritik Parmar had gone to the police station,
where he was badly beaten up by the police, and he was later sent to a remand
home in Khanpur, where he was also tortured by the remand home staff. On 27
October at around 6 am the family members received a phone call from the officials
of the remand home stating that Ritik Parmar was critically ill and he was taken to
the Asarwa Civil Hospital. When the family members reached the hospital they found
their child dead.195
Case 3: Custodial torture of a minor boy at S S Colony police station, Tamil

Nadu
On 5 January 2020, a minor boy (about 17 years) was allegedly tortured at SS

Colony police station in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. The victim, a resident of
Palanganatham in Madurai district, was arrested by police along with other
unidentified persons for interrogation in connection with a robbery case filed by one
Syed Hussain at SS Colony police station after he was robbed near Ellis Nagar Bridge
in Madurai on 18 December 2019. The victim alleged that he was subjected to
torture at SS Colony police station including by one policeman with two stars during
interrogation.196
Case 4: Illegal detention of a 14-year-old minor boy, Delhi
On 25 February 2020, a 14-year-old minor boy, son of Sarwar Ali was arrested and
lodged at Mandoli jail in Delhi as of 6 March 2020. The victim, a resident of
Chandbagh neighborhood of North-east Delhi had ventured out of his home on the
morning of 25 February to look out for his 10-year-old younger brother during the
Delhi riot. While the younger brother returned on his own, the 14-year-old boy did
not return home. The family later discovered that the minor was arrested and
detained under 11 sections of the IPC and also the Prevention of Damage to Public
Property Act. According to court records, the minor was produced in the
Karkardooma district courts on 28 February after which he was remanded to judicial
custody and was lodged in Mandoli jail. The family of the minor claimed that he was
born on 21 November 2006, and was therefore a minor and the same was
established by the minor’s Aadhaar card. The victim’s family alleged that the police
did not even inform them about the arrest and detention of the minor as is

195. NHRC Case No. 994/6/1/2020-AD
196. The State of Torture in Uttarakhand, ACHR, January 2020
Page 77 of 188


mandated by Section 41 of the CrPC and they came to know about their son’s arrest
only on 28 February after a lawyer informed them over a phone call.197
Case 5: Torture of 17-year-old Dalit boy, Punjab
On 9 May 2020, a 17-year-old Dalit boy identified as Gurpreet Singh was allegedly
illegally detained and tortured in police custody at Bhadaur police station in Barnala
district of Punjab. The victim, a resident of Kothe Bhan Singh village under Sehna
Tehsil in the district, was arrested in connection with a theft case. The victim’s
mother Jaswinder Kaur claimed that his son was kept in illegal confinement and
subjected to torture during 9-10 May. The victim was released without charges in
the evening of 10 May when his health deteriorated. The victim suffered serious
injuries and was hospitalised from 10-18 May due to police brutality.198
Case 6: Torture and ill-treatment of five minor boys, Maharashtra
On 23 September 2020, five minor boys (one about 15 years old) were allegedly
tortured by the police personnel of Jaripatka police station in Nagpur district of
Maharashtra. The minors were paraded semi-naked and mercilessly beaten all along
the way by the police personnel of Jaripatka police station in north Nagpur. The
incident took place when the five juveniles allegedly created nuisance in a bar in
Jaripatka. Thereafter the bar owner Sanjay Patil lodged a police complaint and a
police team led by Sub-Inspector Vijay Dhumal and Constables Laxman Chaware,
Mahesh Yadav, Rohan Tiwari, Daga and Sunil Mahajan arrested all the juveniles
from an eatery at Patanswangi in Nagpur district. The families of the minors alleged
that the police had paraded their children in a semi-nude state on a busy road and
assaulted them while being brought to the Jaripatka police station. The minors
received injuries due to police beating.199
Case 7: Torture of 17-year-old minor during illegal detention, Kerala
On 1 October 2020, a 17-year-old juvenile was allegedly tortured by jail officials

during illegal detention at Covid First Line Treatment Centre (CFLTC) of Viyyur
Central jail at Ambilikkala in Thrissur district of Kerala. The victim, a resident of
Kodungallur town in Thrissur district, was arrested and illegally detained at CFLTC of
Viyyur Central jail on 29 September 2020 in connection with a vehicle theft case. In
jail, he was beaten up with bamboo cane by the jail officials on the night of 29
September 2020.200

197. See Dalit youth hangs himself in police custody, Ahmedabad Mirror, 26 February 2020 at
https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/crime/dalit-youth-hangs-himself-
in-police-custody/articleshow/74308520.cms & NHRC Case Nos. 1468/30/5/2020 &
193/6/1/2020-PCD
198. NHRC Case No. 336/19/23/2020
199. NHRC Case No. 1326/13/17/2020
200. NHRC Case No. 513/11/13/2020
Page 78 of 188


2.5. Torture, arrest and detention during COVID-19 lockdown
On 24 March 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown

to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of people including
doctors and other frontline workers, migrant workers, journalists, elderly, physically-
challenged, women, including pregnant, and children were subjected to torture and
other forms of ill-treatment, arrest and detention by police and paramilitary forces
while enforcing the nationwide lockdown.
A. Deaths during enforcement of lockdown
The NCAT documented death of a number of persons due to police brutality while
enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown across the country.
Case 1: Death of Lal Swami, West Bengal
On 25 March 2020, Lal Swami (32 years) died after he was allegedly beaten by the
police while out to buy milk during the nationwide coronavirus lockdown in Banipur
locality in Howrah district, West Bengal. The deceased’s wife alleged that her
husband was among the crowd that the police baton-charged. Injured Lal Swami
was taken to a local hospital where doctors pronounced his death.201
Case 2: Death of Veerabhadraiah, Andhra Pradesh
On 26 March 2020, a labourer identified as Veerabhadraiah (21 years) died due to

alleged torture by the police personnel attached to Isvi police station while enforcing
COVID-19 lockdown at Pedda Harivanam village under Adoni mandal in Kurnool
district of Andhra Pradesh. Two police constables arrived at the Pedda Harivanam
village and started beating people gathered at the village square to discuss about
the day’s events of COVID-19 lockdown. Thereafter, some villagers fled to escape
police beatings but the police chased and brutally beat up the deceased,
Veerabhadraiah, which resulted in his death.202
Case 3: Death of Niresh Shinde, Maharashtra
On 27 March 2020, Naresh Shinde (50 years), an ambulance driver, died after he
was allegedly hit hard on the back with a lathi by a policeman on duty at Talegaon
phata on the Mumbai-Pune highway in Maharashtra. The deceased’s son Nilesh
Shinde alleged that his father died due to the police beating. An inquiry was ordered
into the allegations.203

201. Covid-19 lockdown: Man out to buy milk in West Bengal beaten up by police, dies,
claims family, The Scroll. 26 March 2020, https://scroll.in/latest/957298/covid-19-
lockdown-man-out-to-buy-milk-in-west-bengal-beaten-up-by-police-dies-claims-family
202. NHRC Case No. 884/1/11/2020
203. Covid-19: Probe ordered into ambulance driver’s death after assault by policeman,
Hindustan Times, 28 March 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/covid-19-
Page 79 of 188


Case 4: Death of Raju Velu Devendra, Maharashtra
On 30 March 2020, Raju Velu Devendra (22 years) died due to alleged police beating
at Nehru Nagar locality of Vile Parle (East), Mumbai in Maharashtra. The deceased
brother identified as Shankar alleged that Raju was beaten to death by police after
he was found outdoors during the lockdown. However, the police denied the
allegation.204
Case 5: Death of Roshan Lal, Uttar Pradesh
On 31 March 2020, Roshan Lal (22 years), a Dalit migrant worker, committed suicide
after he was allegedly beaten by a police constable identified as Anoop Kumar Singh
at a quarantine centre in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. Roshan Lal
recorded two audio clips, in which he alleged that he was brutally beaten up by a
constable in public for defying the quarantine guidelines, which prompted him to end
his life. The deceased, who was working as an electrician in Haryana, had returned
to his village on 29 March and was kept in a local school under quarantine by
officials.205
Case 6: Death of Tibu Meda, Madhya Pradesh
On 3 April 2020, a tribal identified as Tibu Meda (65 years) of Holimal village in
Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly beaten to death by police in Dhar
district. The deceased had gone with his son-in-law Sanjay Meda to Gujari village in
Dhar district as the shop in his village had run out of supplies. The family members
alleged that Tibu Meda was beaten to death by the police. According to Sanjay
Meda, the police came in about five vehicles and started beating them with batons
without provocation. However, the district administration claimed that the elderly
man died of a heart attack on seeing the police and there were no bruises on the
body.206

probe-ordered-into-ambulance-driver-s-death-after-assault-by-policeman/story-
45pj0d8MHMh4uudCnribWP.html
204. Mumbai lockdown: Kin blame cops of beating 22-year-old to death, police deny, The
New Indian Express, 30 March 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/mar/30/mumbai-lockdown-kin-blame-
cops-of-beating-22-year-old-to-death-police-deny-2123528.html
205. Youth who returned from Gurgaon ‘beaten up’ by cop, hangs self; probe on, The Indian
Express, 2 April 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/youth-who-
returned-from-gurgaon-beaten-up-by-cop-hangs-self-probe-on/
206. Coronavirus lockdown | Adivasi man dies after police thrash villagers outside shop in
Madhya Pradesh, The Hindu, 5 April 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/coronavirus-lockdown-adivasi-man-dies-after-
police-thrash-villagers-outside-shop-in-madhya-pradesh/article31258493.ece
Page 80 of 188


Case 7: Death of Vicky Mahto, Jharkhand
On 6 April 2020, Vicky Mahto (26 years) jumped to death into a pond due to fear of
police who were enforcing the lockdown in Jamshedpur district, Jharkhand. The
deceased had gone out to buy groceries when he had stopped for a chat with his
friend Asif Hussain near the pond. When they saw the police team, Asif fled and
when the police allegedly tried to catch Vicky, he jumped into the pond and died.207
Case 8: Death of A. Abdul Rahim, Tamil Nadu
On 6 April 2020, A. Abdul Rahim @ Kuttai Maraikayar (75 years) died after alleged
police beating at Karuppayurani in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. According to the
family members, Abdul Rahim was beaten up by police when he was talking to his
son-in-law, Shahjahan, in front of their meat shop. He fell unconscious and later
died. However, police refuted the claim of the family members saying that Abdul
Rahim collapsed while he was talking to the police.208
Case 9: Death of Neduvarambath Suresh, Tamil Nadu
On 7 April 2020, Neduvarambath Suresh (42 years), an auto rickshaw driver, died
under suspicious circumstances after he was allegedly chased by police at Kattachira
near Tirur in Malapluram district in Tamil Nadu. Suresh was found dead in a paddy
field. The police also allegedly attempted to destroy evidence.209
Case 10: Death of Bhupinder Singh, Punjab
On 16 April 2020, Bhupinder Singh (45 years) committed suicide after he was beaten
by police while returning home after purchasing milk for the family in Patiala in
Punjab. Family members alleged that the deceased took the extreme step unable to
bear the beating and humiliation at the hands of the police. However, the police
refuted the allegation.210

207. Fear of cops claims life amid lockdown in Jamshedpur, The Telegraph, 8 April 2020,
https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/jharkhand/coronavirus-lockdown-fear-of-cops-
claims-life-amid-lockdown-in-jamshedpur/cid/1762924?ref=jharkhand_jharkhand-page
208. 75-year-old ‘assaulted’ for flouting curfew, dies, The New Indian Express, 7 April 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/apr/07/75-year-old-
assaulted-for-flouting-curfew-dies-2126699.html
209. Man who attempted to flee from police found dead in Tirur, The Times of India, 8 April
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/man-who-attempted-to-flee-
from-police-found-dead-in-tirur/articleshowprint/75052307.cms
210. Punjab: 45-year-old man commits suicide; family accuses police of torturing for
stepping out during lockdown, The Times Now, 17 April 2020,
https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/article/punjab-45-year-old-man-
commits-suicide-family-accuses-police-of-torturing-for-stepping-out-during-
lockdown/579531
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Case 11: Death of Banshi Kushwaha, Madhya Pradesh
On 17 April 2020, Banshi Kushwaha (50 years), a farmer, succumbed to his injuries
three days after he was allegedly beaten by policemen attached to the Gaura Bazar
police station in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh. The deceased’s family alleged
that the police intercepted him when he was returning home after feeding his cattle
at Tilhari village and beaten him for violating the lockdown. Six police officials
identified as ASI Alok Singh, Head Constable Mukesh Patariya and Constables
Rakesh Singh, Guddu Singh, Brijesh and Ashutosh were suspended for allegedly
assaulting the farmer.211
Case 12: Death of Sagir Jamil Khan, Maharashtra
On 18 April 2020, Sagir Jamil Khan, a labourer, died after returning home in Dongri
area in Mumbai, Maharashtra after he was allegedly beaten by police for violating
the lockdown. He was allegedly beaten by police on the head, hand and back.
However, the police denied the allegations and said the labourer died due to a heart
ailment.212
Case 13: Death of Rizwan Ahmed, Uttar Pradesh

On 18 April 2020, Rizwan Ahmed (22 years), a daily wager, died three days after he
was allegedly beaten by police when he had stepped out to buy food in Ambedkar
Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. Family members alleged that he succumbed to the
injuries sustained in police beating. However, the police termed the allegation false
and baseless.213
Case 14: Death of farmer Banshilal Kushwaha, Madhya Pradesh
On 20 April 2020, a farmer identified as Banshilal Kushwaha (50 years) died due to
alleged torture by the police personnel attached to Gaura Bazar police station amid
COVID-19 lockdown in Tilhari village under Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
According to the deceased’s brother Dharmu Kushwaha, on 16 April 2020, his
brother was beaten up by the police personnel when he was returning home from
his farm after offering water and fodder to his cattle at Tilhari village during the

211. Farmer beaten by police for violating curbs dies in MP, The Hindustan Times, 21 April
2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/farmer-beaten-by-police-for-
violating-curbs-dies-in-mp/story-OmKgIWTjEJznd6FRtD6rLK.html
212. Mumbai labourer dies after alleged thrashing by Police for violating lockdown rules, cops
deny claim, The New Indian Express, 19 April 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/mumbai/2020/apr/19/mumbai-labourer-dies-
after-alleged-thrashing-by-police-for-violating-lockdown-rules-cops-deny-claim-
2132373.html
213. U.P. police say youth didn’t die of beating, The Hindu, 19 April 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-police-say-youth-didnt-die-
of-beating/article31383037.ece
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Covid-19 lockdown. Due to police beating the deceased fainted but he was not taken
to hospital by the police. He later succumbed to his injuries on 20 April 2020. The
accused police personnel were identified as ASI Alok Singh, head constable Mukesh
Patariya and constables Rakesh Singh, Guddu Singh, Brijesh and Ashutosh of Gaura
Bazar police station.214
Case 15: Death of Mohammed Ghouse, Andhra Pradesh

On 20 April 2020, Mohammed Ghouse (28 years) died allegedly after being beaten
up by police for coming out for non emergency work during lockdown in Sattenapalli
town in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. However, police denied that he was
beaten up and claimed the deceased was suffering from chronic heart ailment.215
Case 16: Death of Luv Kush, Uttar Pradesh
On 22 April 2020, Luv Kush (20 years), a vegetable vendor, died two days after he
was allegedly beaten by a police officer in Aligarh district, Uttar Pradesh. The local
residents alleged that Luv Kush died due to police beating and staged a protest with
the dead body at Jalalpur police outpost. They claimed that the deceased was
beaten with a stick as he was late in clearing his vegetable stall.216
Case 17: Death of 13-year-old boy, Delhi

On 6 May 2020, a 13-year-old boy died at Prashant Vihar in Rohini, Delhi after he
was allegedly beaten with a stick by a policeman. The local residents alleged that
the deceased boy was waiting outside a shop to photocopy an Aadhaar card to
obtain ration when he was hit with the stick, resulting in his death. The police denied
the allegation.217
Case 18: Death of Satyaban Swain, Gujarat
On 14 May 2020, Satyaban Swain, a migrant worker from Odisha, was allegedly
beaten to death by police in Surat of Gujarat. The deceased migrant worker had

214. NHRC Case No. 934/12/22/2020
215. COVID-19 lockdown: Tension in Andhra Pradesh's Sattenapalli after man dies from
'police beating', The New Indian Express, 20 April 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/apr/20/covid-19-
lockdown-tension-in-andhra-pradeshs-sattenapalli-after-man-dies-from-police-beating-
2132741.html
216. Aligarh: Vegetable vendor dies after ‘assault’ by cop, The Indian Express, 23 April 2020,
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/coronavirus-lockdown-aligarh-vegetable-vendor-
dies-after-assault-by-cop-6374754/
217. 13-year-old boy dies in Delhi’s Rohini, locals say he was beaten by cop, The Hindustan
Times, 8 May 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-cops-blamed-for-
13-year-old-boy-s-death-in-rohini-police-refute-claim/story-
qTpMgHzIaMzjSIr7GyjbCO.html
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gone out to book tickets to return home when police personnel beat him up. He was
rushed to hospital but doctors declared him brought dead.218
B. Torture, arrest and detention during Covid-19 lockdown
A number of people including doctors, health workers and general public were
subjected to beating, arrested, detained and tortured. Some of the cases
documented are given below:
Case 1: Beating of woman health worker Priyanka Rathod and her father,
Maharashtra
On 25 March 2020, Priyanka Rathod (30 years), a health worker of the National
Urban Health Mission and her father were beaten by a woman police officer
identified as Prabha Pundge while enforcing the lockdown in Hingoli district,
Maharashtra. The health worker sustained a head injury, requiring five stitches. She
was returning home with her father on a motorcycle after completing her duty when
the incident took place.219
Case 2: Beating of Keshav, Maharashtra
On 25 March 2020, Keshav (39 years) was abused and beaten with a stick while he
was on his way to a veterinarian in Mumbai, Maharashtra on a bike with a sick dog
in his arms. The police did not listen to his plea that he was taking the sick pet dog
to veterinarian, which is one of the essential services.220
Case 3: Beating of Sukhdev Singh, Punjab
On 25 March 2020, Sukhdev Singh was beaten by police when he went outside with
his 8-month-old pregnant wife, Renu Bala, to get medicines for her in Amritsar,
Punjab. Sukhdev suffered an injury in his nose and was admitted to hospital. Action
was initiated against the accused policemen.221

218. Police Allegedly Thrash Odia Migrant Worker To Death In Surat, Kalinga TV, 15 May
2020, https://kalingatv.com/nation/police-allegedly-thrash-odia-migrant-worker-to-
death-in-surat/
219. Woman cop canes health worker and her dad in Maharashtra, The Times of India, 27
March 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/aurangabad/woman-cop-canes-
health-worker-and-her-dad-in-maharashtra/articleshowprint/74840071.cms
220. Harassed and Beaten, Animal Lovers Desperately Try to Ensure Pets and Strays Survive
the Lockdown, News18, 28 March 2020, https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/harassed-
beaten-animal-lovers-desperately-try-to-ensure-pets-and-strays-survive-the-lockdown-
2553611.html
221. Cops do it again: Fireman on way to job ‘beaten up’ by ASI, The Tribune, 27 March
2020, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/cops-do-it-again-fireman-on-way-to-job-
beaten-up-by-asi-61731
Page 84 of 188


Case 4: Beating of TV journalist Uttkarsh Chaturvedi, Maharashtra
On 25 March 2020, Uttkarsh Chaturvedi, Deputy News Editor with ET Now, a leading
business news channel, alleged that he was beaten up by policemen while reporting
on the lockdown in Thane district, Maharashtra. The victim claimed he was beaten
with sticks despite showing his press card. The incident came to light after he
brought the ordeal to the notice of police and State chief minister through social
media.222
Case 5: Brutal beating of dialysis patient Nishal, Kerala
On 25 March 2020, 28-year-old Nishal, a dialysis patient was allegedly beaten by

police in Kannur district, Kerala. He was on his way back home from the dialysis unit
on a two-wheeler when he was stopped by police and allegedly beaten even before
he could explain why he was on the road. When he complained about the incident at
Thalassery police station, the police asked him why he did not take a taxi to go
home. Calling the attention of the State chief minister, the victim wrote in social
media “….the police action on people who go out for meeting urgent requirements
without any enquiry must be rectified. I have a kidney disease, and I was beaten by
Thalassery police brutally on my way back from dialysis. You must take action after
examining my documents. Do not deter, but stay with us.”223
Case 6: Beating of at least nine persons and forcing them to squat,

Karnataka
In a video shared by news agency Asian News International (ANI) on 25 March
2020, police personnel were seen beating with sticks at least nine youths as
punishment for violating lockdown in Kalaburagi city in Karnataka.224
Case 7: Four migrants workers forced to crawl, Uttar Pradesh
On 25 March 2020, ANI reported an incident of police brutality in Badaun district,

Uttar Pradesh where police personnel forced four migrant workers who were walking
towards their homes to crawl with their backpacks on as a punishment for violating
lockdown. Confirming the incident, Ashok Kumar Tripathi, Senior Superintendent of

222. TV journalist beaten up by cops during reporting on lockdown, The Daily Pioneer, 26
March 2020, https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/india/tv-journalist-beaten-up-by-cops-
during-reporting-on-lockdown.html
223. Dialysis patient beaten by cops in Kerala during lockdown, writes to CM, The News
Minute, 27 March 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/surviving-social-
distancing-how-you-can-stay-safe-and-yet-stay-connected-121047
224. The video is available at https://thefederal.com/covid-19/amid-lockdown-police-beat-
the-corona-out-of-violators/
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Police, Badaun had apologized and said that an inquiry was initiated against the
officials involved.225
Case 8: Beating of Bilal Ahmed Wani, Jammu and Kashmir
On 25 March 2020, Bilal Ahmed Wani (30 years) was beaten with lathis by a group
of police personnel at Rabban in Baramulla district, Jammu & Kashmir. Wani, an
employee with the department of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs - which
ensures distribution of essential commodities such as rice, wheat, etc under the
public-distribution system, was on his way to his workplace on his scooty when
about six police personnel intercepted him and started beating him with lathis
despite showing his identity card.226
Case 9: Beating of at least 25 persons, Assam
On 25 March 2020, a video was shared on social media showing the police beating
with stick at least 25 persons with sticks with some of them being forced to do sit-
ups as punishment for violating the lockdown guidelines in Assam.227
Case 10: Beating of fireman Naresh Sharma, Punjab
On 26 March 2020, a fireman identified as Naresh Sharma who was going to his
office was allegedly beaten up by ASI identified as Tarsem Singh with stick at a
checkpoint in Amritsar, Punjab. The victim was stopped and beaten despite showing
his curfew pass. Naresh sustained injuries.228
Case 11: Beating of Shaijan Joseph, Kerala
On 26 March 2020, Shaijan Joseph, a driver with Eben Telecom was beaten by
police attached to Aroor police station in Allappuzha district, Kerala. The victim was
hit with a rod below the knee despite showing all the documents, including his
identitiy card, the self-declaration form and the request typed on the telecom firm’s

225. This video is available at:
https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/1243141336800415744
227. The video is available at
https://twitter.com/NANDANPRATIM/status/1242818171469475840
228. Cops do it again: Fireman on way to job ‘beaten up’ by ASI, The Tribune, 27 March
2020, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/cops-do-it-again-fireman-on-way-to-job-
beaten-up-by-asi-61731
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letterhead. Telecom was declared an essential service and exempted during the
lockdown.229
Case 12: Beating of two NGO workers, Telangana
On 26 March 2020, at least two social workers were beaten up by police in

Hyderabad, Telangana. They were beaten while trying to help the disadvantage
section of the society during the lockdown.230
Case 13: Beating of ten persons, J&K
On 26 March 2020, at least ten persons were allegedly beaten up by a group of

five police personnel at Bharat Mata Chowk in Jammu. They were allegedly hit with
lathis and forced to sit on the road. Thereafter, one police personnel walked
around the men and directed them to repeat each sentence he said which included
“We’re enemies of the society”, “We’re enemies of the police”, “We’re enemies of
the country”, and “We’re enemies of Modi sahib”.231
Case 14: Arbitrary arrest and torture of Mohammad Yaseen Sheikh, J&K
On 26 March 2020, Mohammad Yaseen Sheikh, Chairman of the Block Development

Council in Vilgam area, Kupwara district was beaten and taken into custody while he
was returning home from the local PHC in Vilgam in Jammu & Kashmir. He was
dragged out of his car and then taken to the police station. The victim alleged that
he was not given food in the police lock up and was not allowed to meet family
members. He was released on bail two days later.232

229. Cops beat up Eben Telecom employee, The New Indian Express, 27 March 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2020/mar/27/cops-beat-up-eben-
telecom-employee-2122020.html
230. India in lockdown: NGO workers face police brutality while helping poor in Hyderabad,
The New Indian Express, 27 March 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2020/mar/27/india-in-lockdown-
ngo-workers-face-police-brutality-while-helping-poor-in-hyderabad-2122126.html
Page 87 of 188


Case 15: Beating of at least 11 persons, Karnataka
In a video published by ANI on 26 March 2020, a policeman was seen beating at

least 11 persons with a stick outside a Mosque in Belgaum, Karnataka. The people
had gathered to offer prayers in violation of the lockdown.233
Case 16: Brutal beating of three persons including a woman, Andhra

Pradesh
On 26 March 2020, a video surfaced in social media in which a police officer in

Andhra Pradesh was seen beating two persons brutally with a stick. A woman was
also beaten with the stick by the policeman. The police officer was suspended
following criticism.234
Case 17: Beating of Dr Aravind Ashok, Kerala
On 27 March 2020, Dr Aravind Ashok was beaten with a baton by the police
enforcing the lockdown at Vidyanagar in Kasaragod district, Kerala. He had stepped
out of his home to buy baby food for his one-year-old son before going for duty at
PHC in Badiadka where he was in charge of the isolation ward.235
Case 18: Beating of a person, Kerala
On 27 March 2020, a man was beaten up by the police while returning after
dropping his doctor wife to her work at Sreekaryam police station in
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The man was in his car when he was allegedly stopped
by a police officer and beaten up. The victim filed a complaint and an inquiry was
initiated against the officer for misusing power and misbehaving in public.236
Case 19: Beating of at least 10 persons, Punjab
On 27 March 2020, videos of Punjab Police personnel beating at least 10 persons

during lockdown emerged in social media. In the videos, the victims were seen
moving around to buy essential items like milk, rice and vegetables. Incidentally, the
videos were shot by the police and circulated to shame the people flouting the

233. The video is available at: https://thefederal.com/covid-19/amid-lockdown-police-
beat-the-corona-out-of-violators/
234. The video is available at https://twitter.com/i/status/1243189254114570242s
235. Healthcare professionals too face police excesses, The Times of India, 27 March 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/healthcare-professionals-too-face-
police-excesses/articleshowprint/74835289.cms
236. Man In Kerala Allegedly Beaten By Cop While Returning From Dropping Doctor Wife To
Work, https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/social-relevance/man-in-kerala-allegedly-
beaten-by-cop-while-returning-from-dropping-doctor-wife-to-work-509439.html
Page 88 of 188


curfew and to create fear. In one of the videos, two police personnel were seen
beating two youth with stick and slippers.237
Case 20: Radio jokey detained and harassed, Andhra Pradesh
On 27 March 2020, a radio jockey (RJ) working for All India Radio (AIR) was
detained by III Town police in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. He was on his
way to work at around 5 pm, when a constable stopped his bike at Siripuram
junction. According to the RJ, the cop seized his mobile phone and identity card and
took him to the police station. The RJ was detained for over two hours and was not
allowed to seek help. A senior employee with AIR alleged that despite being
exempted under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), the AIR employees
were harassed by the police.238
Case 21: Beating of three migrant workers, Arunachal Pradesh
On 27 March 2020, three Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) constables were

suspended after a video clip emerged in social media showing them beating three
migrant workers with a lathi for being outside during the ongoing nationwide
lockdown. Two suspended constables were identified as Chera Tadup and Tako
Tame. The incident took place at Bihari Basti near the Gumto railway station in
Papum Pare district. State’s Director General of Police RP Upadhyaya confirmed the
incident and stated that action was initiated on the basis of the video clip.239
Case 22: Brutal beating of Bhairon Lal Lohar, Gujarat
On 27 March 2020, ABP Live reported that a Thane-based furniture dealer identified
as Bhairon Lal Lohar was brutally beaten up by Gujarat Police officers when he
stepped out of his home to attend his mother’s funeral. The victim received news of
his mother’s death on 25 March who passed away in a village in Rajasthan. Bhairon
was the only son of his mother and therefore he had to attend the funeral. In order
to facilitate his travel amidst the lockdown, he obtained the necessary permission
from the local police to leave the city. However, when he reached Gujarat-

237. Punjab cops' brutality, shaming Facebook videos raise hackles, The Times of India, 27
March 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/jalandhar-cops-brutality-
shaming-facebook-videos-raise-hackles/articleshowprint/74838733.cms
238. Police harassing us despite exemption: AIR, The Times of India, 31 March 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/police-harassing-us-despite-
exemption-air/articleshowprint/74900963.cms
239. IRBn constables suspended over brutal action, Arunachal Times, 28 March 2020,
https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/03/28/irbn-constables-suspended-over-
brutal-action/
Page 89 of 188


Maharashtra border the police officials stopped him at the border and brutally beat
him up despite showing the necessary permission and other evidences.240
Case 23: Beating of Shabbir Ahmed, Karnataka

On 27 March 2020, Shabbir Ahmed (39 years), an autorickshaw driver and resident
of Shafi Masjid in Hassan district of Karnataka, was on the way to a hospital with his
nine-year-old son on his two-wheeler. Two police constables identified as Ganesh
and Jagadish attached to the Pension Mohalla station, stopped him and beat him up
with their lathis for venturing out of his house. They allegedly did not allow him to
explain where he was going and why. Video clippings of the incident widely
circulated on social media, which show the policemen continuously hitting Ahmed
with lathis on his head, back and legs. They did not spare him even after he ran into
a nearby house to escape.241
Case 24: Beating of Mohamad Mujib, Jharkhand
On 28 March 2020, Mohamad Mujib, a trader, was tortured and ill-treated at Hindpiri
police station in Ranchi district of Jharkhand for violating lockdown norms. The
victim was also allegedly forced to drink urine. A video of the incident circulated in
social media platform show the victim being badly beaten by the police despite him
pleading for mercy. An inquiry was ordered and the SHO identified as Sunil Kumar
Tiwari of the police station was suspended.242
Case 25: Custodial torture of Md. Hujib, Jharkhand
On 28 March 2019, Md. Hujib (45 years) was allegedly tortured in police custody at
Hindpiri police station in Ranchi district of Jharkhand for alleged violation of the
COVID-19 lockdown. The victim, a local trader and a resident of Hindpiri Chowk area
in the district, was arrested on 27 March 2020 and detained illegally in the lockup of
the police station for more the than 24 hours. The victim claimed that he was beaten
up brutally by the police and forced to drink urine in police custody. The victim
suffered injuries all over his body due to police brutality.243

240. Police Brutally Beats Man Who Stepped Out To Attend Mother's Funeral Amid Lockdown,
https://news.abplive.com/news/india/gujarat-police-officers-brutally-beat-man-for-
going-out-to-attend-mothers-funeral-amid-lockdown-1183767
241. Hassan police draw flak for beating up man taking son to health clinic, The Hindu, 30
March 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/hassan-police-draw-
flak-for-beating-up-man-taking-son-to-health-clinic/article31210101.ece
242. See Jagran, 31 March 2020 at https://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/ranchi-police-
station-officer-removed-from-his-post-in-brutally-beating-a-youth-ssp-order-to-
inquiry-ranchi-jharkhand-20153312.html
243. NHRC Case No. 381/34/16/2020
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Case 26: Beating of Mukkhera Ravi, Telangana
In the night of 28 March 2020, Mukkera Ravi, a worker of the Singareni Collieries
Company Limited (SCCL) was allegedly beaten up by the police while he was
returning home from duty. He was stopped by the police at the Subhash Nagar
check post while returning. Though Ravi told them that he is worker with the SCCL
and showed the identity card the policemen did not relent. He was abused and
beaten by the police, which left him with bruises on his buttocks and waist.244
Case 27: Beating of two including stripping of a 25-year-old woman,

West Bengal
On 28 March 2020, the personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly

assaulted and stripped a 25-year-old woman at the Hatkhola village under Chapra
police station of Nadia district of West Bengal. The incident took place when the
security forces were trying to enforce the nationwide lockdown. The villagers
alleged that the security forces were taking advantage of the lockdown to torture
the innocent villagers. The next day the villagers staged a protest in front of the
BSF personnel but the BSF resorted to lathi charge and fired in air in which Miajan
Sha (55 years) was injured.245
Case 28: Police writes lockdown violation on migrant’s forehead, Madhya

Pradesh
On 29 March 2020, a video of a Madhya Pradesh police officer writing “Maine

lockdown ka ullanghan kiya hai, mujhse door rahna (I have violated lockdown
restrictions, keep away from me),” on the forehead of a labourer went viral on social
media. The incident happened under the jurisdiction of Gaurihar Police Station in
Chhatarpur district. Three labourers were returning from Uttar Pradesh when they
were directed to the primary health centre by the police for medical examination. As
they were waiting for a doctor, a senior inspector scolded them for violating the
lockdown and wrote the inscription on one of the labourers’ forehead. The officer
has reportedly been issued a show-cause notice.246

244. SCCL workers go on flash strike after police thrash worker in Bhupalpally, The
Telangana Today, 30 March 2020, https://telanganatoday.com/sccl-workers-go-on-flash-
strike-after-police-thrash-worker-in-bhupalpally
245. Woman in Nadia district assaulted by BSF: CPI(ML), The Hindu, 30 March 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/woman-in-nadia-district-
assaulted-by-bsf-cpiml/article31201057.ece
246. ‘I violated lockdown orders’: MP cop writes on migrant’s forehead, Indian Express, 29
March 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/i-violated-lockdown-orders-
stay-away-from-me-mp-police-writes-on-migrants-forehead-6337019/
Page 91 of 188


Case 29: Beating of four migrant workers, Arunachal Pradesh
On 29 March 2020, a video surfaced from Arunachal Pradesh reportedly shot at

Kimin in Papum Pare district showing four people being assaulted by the State
Police. The police beat up three males with a stick, even as they tried to flee from
the police, while a woman was made to sit holding her ears. They were reported to
be migrant workers from Laluk in Assam.247
Case 30: Beating of three tribal boys, Arunachal Pradesh
On 29 March 2020, a video surfaced from Lower Subansiri Headquarters Ziro,

showing CRPF personnel making three boys do pushups. One boy was seen being
beaten with a lathi. All three victims were tribals. Lower Subansiri Superintendent of
Police Hemant Tiwari confirmed the incident and stated that the incident occurred on
27 March in Gandhi market, and that inquiry was ongoing. He also stated that CCTV
footages of the incident were being studied and assured necessary action against
the guilty CRPF personnel.248
Case 31: Beating of Khurshid Ahmed, Uttar Pradesh

On 29 March 2020, Khurshid Ahmed, a Haryana Roadways bus driver, was allegedly
beaten by police while he was on his way to drop migrant workers home in
Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh for violating lockdown. He was pulled down from
the bus and beaten with lathis, leaving him with severe injuries on his back and
legs.249
Case 32: Beating of three Adivasi women by a police officer, Assam
On 30 March 2020, a TV news channel in Assam aired a video showing Sub

Inspector identified as Robin Kalita beating three Adivasi women in Golaghat district.
In the video, two women, seen carrying vegetables on a bicycle, were stopped,
abused and beaten with a stick by the enraged officer for violating the lockdown
guidelines. A little later, the officer assaulted another woman carrying firewood from
a field.250

247. Two migrant workers assaulted by public in Ziro, Arunachal Times, 29 March 2020,
https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/03/30/more-videos-of-police-beatings-
emerge/
248. Ibid
249. Haryana Roadways driver 'thrashed' by UP cops, union demands action, The Deccan
Herald, 3 April 2020, https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/haryana-
roadways-driver-thrashed-by-up-cops-union-demands-action-821084.html
250. Lockdown brutality continues: Policeman assaults Adivasi women in Assam,
Newslaundry, 31 March 2020, https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/03/31/lockdown-
brutality-continues-policeman-assaults-adivasi-women-in-assam
Page 92 of 188


Case 33: Two persons beaten and forced to hop like frog, Goa
On 30 March 2020, a video that appears to have been recorded from a balcony in
Panaji in Goa showed the personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force hitting two
persons on the road with sticks and forced them to hop like frogs.251
Case 34: Suspension, torture and detention of Dr Sudhakar Rao, Andhra
Pradesh
In March 2020, Dr Sudhakar Rao, a government civil surgeon, who spent more than
10 years at the Narsipatnam Government Hospital in Andhra Pradesh, was
suspended after he openly criticised the state government for failing to provide PPE
kits and N95 masks to doctors treating COVID-19 patients.252 He was beaten with
stick, his hands tied behind his back and dragged by police officers on the road in
Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on 16 May. The police accused him of creating
nuisance on road and blocking traffic and arrested him under Section 353 of the IPC
(Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).253
Case 35: Arrest and detention of Dr. Indranil Khan, West Bengal
On 1 April 2020, the Calcutta High Court slammed the detention of a doctor by the
West Bengal Police after he had complained of lack of personal protective equipment
for doctors and other healthcare professionals on social media. On 28 March 2020,
Dr Indranil Khan posted photographs purportedly showing doctors and nurses at the
North Bengal Medical College and the Calcutta Medical College wearing raincoats and
polythene sheets while treating COVID-19 patients. The posts went viral and Dr
Khan was detained by police from his hospital at around 9.30 pm on 29 March.
According to Dr Khan, the policemen told him that his social media posts “did not go
down well with the government” and he was taken to the Zinzira Bazar Investigation
Centre falling under the jurisdiction of Maheshtala police station in South 24
Parganas district. Dr Khan was questioned for 16 hours, until 2 pm on 30 March and
police threatened him to arrest if he did not admit online that his posts were fake. Dr
Khan claimed that after he tweeted his apology, police made him delete one of his
many posts on PPE unavailability. Before he was released from detention, the police
seized his phone and SIM card. On 1 April, Dr Khan moved the Calcutta high court in
an effort to get his phone back. A bench of Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji observed,
““Freedom of speech and expression which is granted under Article 19 of the
Constitution of India has to be scrupulously upheld by the State. If an expression of

251. Caught on camera in Goa: CRPF officers hit people on the road with sticks, make them
hop like frogs, Scroll, 30 March 2020, https://scroll.in/video/957608/caught-on-camera-
in-goa-crpf-officers-hit-people-on-the-road-with-sticks-make-them-hop-like-frogs
252. Andhra doctor, suspended for alleging PPE shortage, now beaten by cops for ‘creating
nuisance’, The Print, 17 May 2020, https://theprint.in/india/andhra-doctor-suspended-
for-alleging-ppe-shortage-now-beaten-by-cops-for-creating-nuisance/423840/
253. Suspended doctor taken into custody, The Hindu, 16 May 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/suspended-doctor-taken-into-
custody/article31604267.ece
Page 93 of 188


opinion brings the government into disrepute, it cannot defend this allegation by
intimidation of the person expressing the opinion by subjecting him to prolonged
interrogation, threatening arrest seizing his mobile phone and SIM card and so on.”
The court ordered the return of Dr Khan’s phone and SIM card to him and asked
Maheshtala police to not interrogate the doctor without taking the court’s
permission.254
Case 36: Custodial torture of Murali Krishna, Telangana
On 1 April 2020, Murali Krishna, a resident of Malkajgiri in Telangana, was beaten by

a policeman identified as Ashok for riding a motorcycle with his son. The policeman
reportedly asked them to pay a fine and assaulted Murali. The police recorded a
video showing that it was Murali who had attacked them in the car. Then, Murali
was taken to the police station, where five constables and the Sub-Inspector took
turns to beat him. When Murali’s wife Savithri reached the police station, a lady
constable allegedly pushed her out of the station and the policemen snatched her
phone. The video clip of a group of policemen beating up Murali went viral in social
media.255
Case 37: Beating of health worker Nabam @ Hina, Arunachal Pradesh

On 7 April 2020, Nabam @ Hina, an employee working under the National Vector
Borne Disease Control Programme, was assaulted by IRBn personnel while he was
returning home from office in Nirjuli in Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The victim was assaulted despite carrying valid documents, including a special
identity card issued by the directorate, a special movement permit issued by the
district magistrate, driving licence, and other documents.256
Case 38: Beating of two doctors, Madhya Pradesh
On 8 April 2020, Dr. Rituparna Jana (about 35 years) and Dr. Yuvraj Singh, junior
resident doctors of AIIMS, Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, were beaten with batons by
two police personnel while they were returning home after performing emergency
duties. The police also abused them stating that doctors like them are spreading the
coronavirus and they are a disgrace to the country. The woman doctor received

254. Calcutta HC Slams Detention of Doctor Who Tweeted on Insufficient Protective Gear, The
Wire, 2 April 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/coronavirus-doctor-detained-calcutta-hc
255. Man assaulted by Wanaparthy policemen in front of son, SP suspends constable, The
Telangana Today, 2 April 2020, https://telanganatoday.com/man-assaulted-by-
wanaparthy-policemen-in-front-of-son-sp-suspends-constable
256. FIR lodged against IRBn personnel for assaulting health worker, The Arunachal Times, 10
April 2020, https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2020/04/10/fir-lodged-against-irbn-
personnel-for-assaulting-health-worker/
Page 94 of 188


injuries on one foot, while the male doctor had suffered soft tissue swelling with
contused abrasions on the arm.257
Case 39: Beating of Mallappa Bommanagi, Karnataka
On 8 April 2020, Mallappa Bommanagi (45 years), a bus conductor, was allegedly
beaten by police following an argument for stepping out during lockdown in
Vijayapura district in Karnataka. Later, Mallappa Bommanagi died after drowning
when he attempted to cross a river to avoid police personnel.258
Case 40: Beating of a Dalit boy, Andhra Pradesh
On 9 April 2020, a 17-year-old Dalit boy was beaten by the police for allegedly
defying lockdown at Vuyyuru in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. The victim could
not endure the torture and fainted on the road. Fearing that the boy may die, the
police shifted him to the government hospital at Vuyyuru.259
Case 41: Beating of health worker Ravindra Kumar, Uttar Pradesh
On 10 April 2020, Ravindra Kumar (38 years), a health worker at MMG District
Hospital, who was involved in carrying out door-to-door survey to identify Covid-19
patients, was allegedly beaten up by police outside his home in Pilkhuwa in Hapur
district of Uttar Pradesh. Ravindra Kumar suffered a fracture in one hand and bruises
on his knees.260
Case 42: Beating of 62-year-old Basant Sethy, Odisha
On 11 April 2020, 62-year-old Basant Sethy was beaten with a stick by Constable
Siba Prasad Nayak of Balikuda police station while he was going on foot to the
nearby medicine shop to by medicines for his ailing bed-ridden wife for violation

257. Bhopal police thrash two AIIMS doctors returning from duty, The Hindu, 10 April 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bhopal-police-thrash-two-aiims-
doctors-returning-from-duty/article31303832.eces
258. Karnataka: Man takes river route to avoid cops, drowns, The Times of India, 10 April
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/karnataka-man-takes-river-route-
to-avoid-cops-drowns/articleshowprint/75074802.cms
259. Cops beat up Dalit teenager for `defying’ lockdown in AP’s Krishna district, Newsmeter,
9 April 2020, https://newsmeter.in/cops-beat-up-dalit-teenager-for-defying-lockdown-
in-aps-krishna-district/
260. Noida: Health surveyor thrashed by cops, The Times of India, 11 April 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/health-surveyor-thrashed-by-
cops/articleshowprint/75089102.cms
Page 95 of 188


lockdown in Jagatsingpur district, Odisha. The victim was also kicked in the face.
The accused constable was suspended.261
Case 43: Brutal beating of an employee of a cell phone company, Odisha
In second week of April 2020, an employee of a cell phone company was brutally
beaten up by Sub Inspector Dinesh Patta of Erasama police station at Erasama in
Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha. On being stopped, the victim told the police officer
that he was going to the cell phone tower for maintenance work. However, he could
not produce the pass and beaten with a stick. The accused police officer was
suspended.262
Case 44: Beating of Mitu Puhan, Odisha
In the second week of April 2020, Mitu Puhan, a vegetable vendor, sustained a
fractured hand after police beat him with a pipe for delay in closing his shop during
the lockdown in Jagatsingpur district, Odisha.263
Case 45: Custodial torture of journalist Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai, J&K
On 11 April 2020, Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai (34 years), a journalist working for the
Kashmir Observer, was arrested and detained for two days at Sumbal police station
in Bandipore district of Jammu and Kashmir when he went there in his Alto car to
report the possible violation of the lockdown. The police intercepted his car despite
showing documents including his press card. At the police station, the SHO Muneeb-
ul-Islam slapped him several times and another policeman accompanying the SHO
beat him with his lathi. The police filed an FIR and booked him under charges which
included violating the lockdown rules and interfering in the professional work of the
officials. The SHO also threatened to fix him. He was released only after securing
bail from the court.264
Case 46: Beating of Rakesh Kumar Singh, Bihar
On 12 April 2020, Rakesh Kumar Singh, a senior BJP leader in Bihar, was allegedly
beaten with sticks by police in Patna when he stepped out of his house to buy
essential items. He sustained bruises on the left thigh and a fractured left thumb.265

261. Two Odisha cops suspended for lockdown brutality, The New Indian Express, 13 April
2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/apr/13/two-odisha-cops-
suspended-for-lockdown-brutality-2129394.html
262. Ibid
263. Ibid
264. Kashmir journalists continue to be harassed, summoned and intimidated, The Federal,
21 April 2020, https://thefederal.com/states/north/jammu-and-kashmir/kashmir-
journalists-continue-to-be-harassed-summoned-and-intimidated/
265. Lockdown: Bihar BJP media in-charge beaten by police, The Times of India, 12 April
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/lockdown-bihar-bjp-media-in-
charge-beaten-by-police/articleshowprint/75110885.cms
Page 96 of 188


Case 47: Beating of 61-year-old Joy Krishna Roy, Tripura
On 13 April 2020, Joy Krishna Roy (61 years) was allegedly beaten up by the police
personnel near Gangail road in Agartala under West Tripura district of Tripura when
he was on the way to nearby market to buy medicine during the COVID-19
lockdown. The victim suffered serious injuries on his hand due to police beating. The
victim alleged that the police came suddenly from behind and used filthy language
and beat him brutally. He was taken to IGM Hospital from where he was referred to
GB hospital for further treatment.266
Case 48: Beating of Mohammad Asgar Nawar, Telangana
On 19 April 2020, Mohammad Asgar Nawar was beaten by police when he had gone
out to buy groceries in Hasan Nagar in Telangana. To avoid beating, he ran into a
construction site and fell down from the top of the building, resulting in fracture in
his both legs.267
Case 49: Beating of Mohammad Azeemuddin, Telangana
On 20 April 2020, Mohammad Azeemuddin was assaulted by officers attached to the

Pitlam police station in Kamareddy district, Telangana while he was returning home
after buying medicines. Both his hands were fractured. 268
Case 50: Custodial torture of reporter Samrat Pradhan, Karnataka

On 20 April 2020, Samrat Pradhan (25 years), a business correspondent of a
magazine and his cousin Amit Kar (25 years), working in a hotel were allegedly
tortured at Hennur police station in Bangalore, Karnataka. They had stepped out to
buy medicines and groceries when they were taken to the police station and
allegedly tortured for over 15 hours.269

266. See Tripura Infoway, 13 April 2020 at http://www.tripurainfoway.com/news-
details/TN/143106/lockdown-61-years-old-retired-govt-officer-beaten-severely-by-
police-demands-medical-expenses-from-tripura-govt-sought-action-against-
officials.html
267. A timeline of alleged police brutality in Telangana amid the COVID-19 lockdown, The
News Minute, 1 May 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/timeline-alleged-
police-brutality-telangana-amid-covid-19-lockdown-123718
269. Two NE residents ‘tortured’ in police station for 15 hours, 22 April 2020,
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/crime/two-ne-residents-tortured-in-
police-station-for-15-hours/articleshowprint/75282066.cms?prtpage=1
Page 97 of 188


Case 51: Beating of Jitin and his two sisters including a minor, Uttar
Pradesh
On 20 April 2020, an inquiry was ordered into the alleged beating up of Jitin and his
two sisters including a minor by police at Utrarna village in Musajhag area in Badaun
district, Uttar Pradesh for defying lockdown. Jitin was unloading hay from a tractor-
trolley when a beat constable arrived there and began hitting Jitin. When his family
members intervened, the policeman left. However, he returned later with his
colleagues, dragged Jitin out of his house and began beating him again. Jitin’s two
sisters, aged 18 and 14 years, were also beaten up by the police when they came to
the rescue of their brother. They all suffered injuries and had to be hospitalized.270
Case 52: Beating of a boy and forcing to do sit-ups, Gujarat

On 20 April 2020, a video of a police officer of State Reserve Police (SRP) hitting a
boy with a stick at Pandesara area in Surat city, Gujarat during bandobust duty
during lockdown had gone viral on social media. The video showed the police officer
identified as Lalji Pandor, ASI forcing the boy to do sit-ups and later hitting him with
a stick on the leg.271
Case 53: Beating of journalist Subrat Kumar Swain, Odisha
On 22 April 2020, Subrat Kumar Swain, correspondent with Odia Daily Sambad was
allegedly beaten up by a police SI Ashutosh Mohanty while he was taking his ailing
child to a hospital in Keonjhar district, Odisha.272
Case 54: Beating of Haji Pasha, Telangana
On 22 April 2020, Haji Pasha was beaten by police at Bholakpur, Telangana when he
came out of his house at night. A video footage of the beating went viral on social
media with three policemen seen badly hitting the man. 273

270. UP: Probe ordered into alleged thrashing of farmer’'s son, 2 daughters by police, The
Outlook, 20 April 2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/up-probe-ordered-into-
alleged-thrashing-of-farmers-son-2-daughters-by-police/1808799
271. Surat: Video of boy being beaten goes viral, The Times of India, 21 April 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/video-of-cop-thrashing-minor-with-stick-
goes-viral/articleshowprint/75260317.cms
272. Odisha journalist taking sick son to hospital assaulted by cop for flouting lockdown, The
Hindustan Times, 23 April 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-
journalist-taking-sick-son-to-hospital-assaulted-by-cop-for-flouting-lockdown/story-
85O55zHwPDCdsbqWFtO1GK.html
Page 98 of 188


Case 55: Beating and dragging of a CRPF jawan, Karnataka
On 23 April 2020, Sachin Savant, a commando of 207 Bn Commando Battalion for
Resolute Action of the CRPF was beaten and dragged to a police station barefoot in
Belagavi district, Karnataka for allegedly violating lockdown norms. The incident took
place when the victim was cleaning his motorcycle in front of his house. Sawant’s
family alleged that he was beaten with lathis and handcuffed by police. Photos of
the victim being tied up in chains in the police station were widely circulated in social
media.274
Case 56: Beating of three stranded Kashmiris, Rajasthan
On 29 April 2020, at least three Kashmiris stranded in Jaipur, Rajasthan, were

allegedly beaten up, harassed and called terrorists by the police when they were out
to buy basic essentials. Two of the victims were identified as Altaf Dar and Bilal
Ahmad.275
Case 57: 60-year-old mentally challenged woman molested, Haryana
On 29 April 2020, two police constables allegedly molested and misbehaved with a
60-year-old mentally challenged woman at a quarantine centre in Sector 31 in
Gurugram, Haryana. The two accused were suspended.276
Case 58: Beating of mentally challenged Sunil Yadav, Uttar Pradesh

On 3 May 2020, a video emerged on social media showing a constable beating a
mentally challenged man identified as Sunil Yadav with a stick for allegedly violating
lockdown rules at Biba Mau village in Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh. The policeman
was also seen pinning the man to the ground with one foot on his chest. Towards
the end of the video, another policeman joined in beating the man.277

274. Cobra commando allegedly chained at Karnataka police station for not wearing mask,
CRPF takes up matter, The Hindustan Times, 27 April 2020,
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cobra-commando-allegedly-chained-at-
karnataka-police-station-for-not-wearing-mask-crpf-takes-up-matter/story-
DjpgWuzEgkugHfEBXBVJkJ.html
275. “You are terrorists”: Stranded Kashmiris in Jaipur beaten up by police, The Kashmirwalla,
30 April 2020, https://thekashmirwalla.com/2020/04/stranded-kashmiris-out-in-jaipur-
beaten-up-by-police/
276. 2 constables suspended for molesting mentally challenged woman at a quarantine
facility, The Hindustan Times, 2 May 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurugram/2-
constables-suspended-for-molesting-mentally-challenged-woman-at-a-quarantine-
facility/story-wN42mJDwCIpqXxX50jYB4O.html
277. Coronavirus: Viral video shows Indian cops mercilessly beating man in Uttar Pradesh,
amid lockdown, Gulf News, 4 May 2020,
Page 99 of 188


Case 59: Beating of at least four persons of a family including women,
Rajasthan
On 5 May 2020, video clips surfaced on social media showing family making frantic
appeals for justice against the highhandedness of policemen from the Kotwali police
station of Nimbaheda in Chittorgarh district, Rajasthan. One of the videos showed
the policemen beating a man for allegedly violating curfew. In another clip, his
family members were showing blue marks on their bodies reportedly after being
beaten up by the policemen. The enraged policemen were even heard calling out
loudly that if anyone steps out of their houses, their legs would be broken. Women
in the household alleged that police showed no mercy on a woman who had
delivered a baby just 20 days ago and even a 90-year-old woman was beaten up by
them inside her home. All the victims suffered injuries due to police beating.278
Case 60: Beating of two persons, pregnant woman slapped, Gujarat
A video shared on 8 May 2020 showed a man being brutally beaten by police in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The police were seen hitting the man lying on the ground
repeatedly with sticks all over the body. A woman alleged that her son, who did not
go out, was also mercilessly beaten by the police. While a pregnant woman alleged
that she was slapped by the police personnel. Police denied the allegations.279
Case 61: Beating of two women, Uttar Pradesh
On 16 May 2020, two women identified as Gujhiya Devi (50 years) and Tanuja (32
years) were allegedly beaten by a police officer in Sector 19 Noida in Uttar Pradesh
when they were standing in a queue to procure ration for allegedly flouting the
norms of social distancing. The accused police officer was suspended.280
Case 62: Beating of 12-year-old boy, Uttar Pradesh

On 16 May 2020, a 12-year-old boy was allegedly beaten by police in Baradari area
in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh while he was selling fruits on a cart. In a video

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/coronavirus-viral-video-shows-indian-cops-
mercilessly-beating-man-in-uttar-pradesh-amid-lockdown-1.1588596635181
278. Chittor cops thrash family for flouting curfew, clips go viral, The Times of India, 6 May
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/udaipur/chittor-cops-thrash-family-for-
flouting-curfew-clips-go-viral/articleshowprint/75564477.cms
279. See https://www.thequint.com/news/india/gujarat-police-alleged-atrocity-pregant-
woman-shahpur-violence-during-coronavirus-lockdown
280. COVID-19 lockdown: Cop suspended for beating women at ration shop in Noida, The
New Indian Express, 16 May 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/may/16/covid-19-lockdown-cop-
suspended-for-beating-women-at-ration-shop-in-noida-2144240.html
Page 100 of 188


footage, the boy could be seen crying uncontrollably and showing his swollen hand,
claiming that two policemen had beaten him with a stick.281
Case 63: Beating of Fayaz Ahamad Ganie, Jammu & Kashmir
On 18 May 2020, Fayaz Ahamad Ganie, a forest protection officer, was beaten by
police in Bandipora district, Jammu & Kashmir. The incident took place when the
victim was on the way to his office when two policemen deployed to implement
lockdown guidelines stopped him for stepping outside. He sustained injuries on his
ear and bruises on legs and arms.282
Case 64: Forcing two labourers to roll on road, Uttar Pradesh
On 19 May 2020, a police constable in Uttar Pradesh was suspended after a video
emerged in social media, in which he was seen beating two labourers, who were
going to their respective homes, and forcing them to roll on road in the scorching
heat near a railway station in Hapur district.283
Case 65: Brutal beating of migrant worker Ajay Mishra, Punjab
On 21 May 2020, Ajay Mishra, a migrant worker from Bihar was brutally beaten by
police when he was waiting at a hand pump to take a bath in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Following the beating, the victim sustained fractures in two of his fingers and other
injuries.284
Case 66: Beating of Dr. Shabir Ahmad Mir, Jammu & Kashmir
On 22 May 2020, Dr. Shabir Ahmad Mir (50 years) was allegedly beaten by the
police personnel near Budshah Bridge in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir when he was
going to duty in the G B Panth Hospital during the Covid-19 lockdown. The victim
claimed that the police personnel attached to Miasuma police station stopped him

281. Police thrash boy for selling fruits, Akhilesh tweets video, The Times of India, 17 May
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bareilly/police-thrash-boy-for-selling-
fruits-akhilesh-tweets-video/articleshowprint/75781590.cms
282. On Way To Office, Police Allegedly Beat Up Forest Official In Bandipora - ‘Injured shifted
to hospital for treatment’, The Kashmir Age, 18 May 2020,
https://kashmirage.net/2020/05/18/on-way-to-office-police-allegedly-beat-up-forest-
official-in-bandipora/
283. Uttar Pradesh cop suspended for beating labourers, making them roll on road, The New
Indian Express, 19 May 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/may/19/uttar-pradesh-cop-suspended-
for-beating-labourers-making-them-roll-on-road-2145341.html
284. Cops beat, injured me: Migrant worker, The Times of India, 25 May 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/cops-beat-injured-me-migrant-
worker/articleshowprint/75955881.cms
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near Budshah Bridge in Srinagar and dragged him out from his car and started
beating him without any valid reasons before he could explain his identity. The
victim further stated that he was even beaten up by senior police officer who was
present at the location when he approached him. The victim received injuries in his
fingers due to police beating.285
Case 67: Brutal beating of man, Madhya Pradesh
On 23 May 2020, a video clip of two policemen wearing masks brutally beating a
man to unconsciousness at Pipla Naryanwar village under Lodhikheda police station
in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh had emerged on social media. The
incident took place a few days earlier. The two policemen were identified as Head
constable Krishna Dongre and constable Ashish.286
Case 68: Beating of a 56-year-old retired army personnel and his son,
Uttar Pradesh
On 24 May 2020, Harish Chand (56 years), retired army personnel, and his son were
allegedly beaten by a police official in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The police first allegedly
beat up Chand’s son with a stick when he had gone out to buy sugar from a shop.
Thereafter, Chand was allegedly brutally beaten up by four policemen when he
confronted them about his son’s beating.287
Case 69: Custodial torture of Dr. Syed Maqbool, J&K
On 25 May 2020, Dr Syed Maqbool, a senior cardiologist at Government Medical

College Srinagar, alleged that he was detained for eight hours and beaten in custody
by the police in Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on 23 May 2020. The victimised
doctor alleged that a policeman stopped his car near Hawal Chowk in Srinagar and
prevented him from going towards his hospital to attend some emergency cases
despite showing his identity card and a copy of his duty roster. When he urged the
policeman to let him talk to his senior, the policeman hit the doctor in his belly with
a stick. Then, the SHO of Zadibal Police Station identified as Javaid Ahmad detained
him and took him to the police station. At the police station, the SHO verbally
abused the doctor stating: “you doctors are thieves and you prescribe spurious
medicines. You have nothing to do with COVID-19. This is the battle of police. Let

285. Doctor alleges being thrashed by police in Srinagar, Kashmir Vision, 24 May 2020,
https://kashmirvision.in/2020/05/24/doctor-alleges-being-thrashed-by-police-in-
srinagar-2/
286. Madhya Pradesh: Video of Policemen Beating Man Goes Viral, 2 Constables Taken off
Field Duty, The Wire, 24 May 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/madhya-pradesh-video-
police-beating-man
287. Retired Army man brutally beaten up by cops; police inaction alleged, The Mirror Now,
25 May 2020, https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/article/retired-army-
man-brutally-beaten-up-by-cops-police-inaction-alleged/596516
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your hospital and let your patients go to hell”.288 The cardiologist was allowed to
finally make a phone call by the SHO on the condition that he could not reveal his
whereabouts. The SHO warned him to strip him naked and put behind bars if he
dared to say that he was in police station. He was released at 6 pm only when his
brother came to the police station looking for him.289 After the doctor took to
Facebook to write about the ill-treatment, the Inspector General of Police (IGP),
Kashmir, ordered an impartial inquiry into the incident.290
Case 70: Torture of a 13-year-old boy, Tamil Nadu
On 23 August 2020, a 13-year-old teenage boy was tortured by a Police constable

identified as Durgaraj during COVID-19 lockdown at Coimbatore city in Coimbatore
district of Tamil Nadu. The victim, a resident of Surya Nagar of Ondipudur in
Coimbatore city of Tamil Nadu, was thrashed with a stick by the constable, Durgaraj.
The police claimed that the victim and his friends violated the rules of complete
lockdown imposed on 23 August in the area. The victim alleged that on 23 August
he went to visit his friend with his two other friends and he was brutally beaten with
a lathi by constable Durgaraj while they were returning home. In the beating, the
victim suffered injuries on his thigh and knee.291
3. TORTURE IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY
In 2020, the National Human Rights Commission registered a total of 1,569 deaths
in judicial custody across the country. These included 180 deaths in January, 122
deaths in February, 99 deaths in March, 25 deaths in April, 144 deaths in May, 117
deaths in June, 168 deaths in July, 130 deaths in August, 206 deaths in September,
141 deaths in October, 125 deaths in November and 112 deaths in December.292
As per the latest ‘Prison Statistics Report-2019 of the NCRB, 1,775 prisoners had
died across the country’s jails in 2019. These included 1,544 natural deaths and 165
un-natural deaths and 66 deaths in which the cause of deaths were unknown. As per

288. Kashmir: IGP Orders Inquiry After Senior Doctor Says He Was Beaten, Detained Illegally
by Police, The Wire, 25 May 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-doctor-beaten-
detained-srinagar-police
289. 'Will Strip You Naked': Jammu and Kashmir Police Detain On-call Doctor In Srinagar,
Outlook, 26 May 2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-will-
strip-you-naked-jammu-and-kashmir-police-detain-on-call-doctor-in-srinagar/353521
290. Kashmir: IGP Orders Inquiry After Senior Doctor Says He Was Beaten, Detained Illegally
by Police, The Wire, 25 May 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-doctor-beaten-
detained-srinagar-police
292. Information received by Tejang Chakma under Right to Information Act from NHRC vide
Letter No.NHRC/RTI/21/32 dated 2 February 2020
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the report, out of the 165 un-natural deaths, 116 prisoners (70.3%) committed
suicides, 10 prisoners died due to attack by fellow prisoners, while only two
prisoners died due to excess/negligence by jail officials, among others.293
Many deaths in judicial custody i.e. in the prison or jail took place as a result of
torture. In prisons, torture remains endemic, institutionalised and central to the
administration of justice. However, in the large majority of custodial deaths the
prison officials claimed that the causes of custodial deaths were sudden health or
medical complications and suicide.
3.1. Deaths due to alleged torture
Torture is often used in prisons. The cases given below during 2020 depict the
pattern, practice & prevalence of torture in Indian prisons and the excuses such as
sudden health or medical complications, given by the prison authorities in cases
death in judicial custody.
Case 1: Death of Vikram Kumar due to alleged torture, Bihar
On 13 January 2020, Vikram Kumar (22 years), S/o Kamleshwar Yadav, died as a
result of alleged torture in police custody at a police station in Lakhisarai district,
Bihar. Kumar, a resident of Pachauta village under Lakhisarai Block in Lakhisarai
district, was arrested by police in connection with a case of alleged liquor selling
case on 10 January 2020. He was sent to judicial custody at Lakhisarai district jail on
11 January. Jail officials claimed that Kumar complained of stomach pain on 13
January, after which he was taken to the Sadar hospital, where he died on the same
day in the hospital. However, the family members alleged that Kumar died after he
was brutally beaten by police after his arrest in custody. The family further alleged
medical negligence by the jail officials at the time of admission to the jail as well as
during judicial custody, and that he was admitted at hospital only when his condition
deteriorated.294
Case 2: Undertrial Usman Ali @ Saraikela Jail, Jharkhand
On 6 February 2020, undertrial Usman Ali (31 years), S/o Md. Tasleem died due to
alleged torture while in judicial custody at Saraikela Jail in Seraikela Kharsawan
district, Jharkhand. The undertrial, a resident of Odisha, was arrested along with his
father Md. Tasleem and sent to judicial custody in 2015 in connection with an
alleged dowry case filed by one Md. Shamsher, father-in-law of the deceased. Jail
officials claimed the undertrial was suffering from fever for four days and on 5
February 2020 he was admitted to the MGM Medical College and Hospital at
Jamshedpur where he died the following morning. However, the deceased’s family
accused the jail officials of torturing the deceased which resulted in his death. The

293. See Table - 8 (Deaths and Illness in Prisons), Prison Statistics India 2019, NCRB
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family members claimed that the health of the deceased was absolutely fine on the
night of 4 February 2020 when they talked to him on the phone.295
Case 3: Undertrial Vrindavan Raikwar @ District Jail Tikamgarh, Madhya

Pradesh
On 11 February 2020, undertrial Vrindavan Raikwar (25 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Tikamgarh District Jail in Madhya Pradesh. The undertrial was
arrested and sent to judicial custody in connection with an alleged rape case. Jail
officials claimed that in the night of 11 February the deceased died due to heart
attack inside the jail. However, the family members alleged that he was killed in
custody and refused to accept the dead body. Villagers and the family members
staged a protest, blocking the road demanding strong action against the accused jail
officials.296
Case 4: Undertrial Santosh Munda @ District Jail Sundargarh, Odisha
On 18 February 2020, undertrial Santosh Munda (37 years) died due to alleged
torture at Sundargarh district jail in Sundargarh district, Odisha. Santosh, a resident
of Deoli village under Bhasma police station area in the district, was arrested and
sent to judicial custody on 15 February 2020 in connection with alleged charges of
illegal sale of liquor. Jail officials claimed that his health suddenly deteriorated during
the night of 17 February, after which he was taken to the Sundargarh district
hospital. Later, he was referred to the Burla hospital, where he died on 18 February.
However, the family members accused the jail officials of murder. The deceased's
wife Sarojini Neura alleged that her husband was implicated in a false case. She
further alleged that on 15 February her husband was arrested and dragged away
from their house by the Sambalpur Excise Unit, despite no alcohol being recovered
from their house during a raid. The deceased's wife also alleged that her husband
was tortured in the custody which led to his death. The deceased's wife demanded
an investigation into the custodial death.297
Case 5: Undertrial Bosu Das @ Sub Division Jail Kalyani, West Bengal
On 18 February 2020, undertrial Bosu Das (33 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Kalyani sub division jail in Nadia district, West Bengal. Bosu was
undergoing trial in a case of burglary. Jail officials claimed that he died due to
illness. According to them, the deceased’s health suddenly deteriorated in the night
of 18 February, after which he was taken to JNM Kalyani medical college and
hospital, where he was declared brought dead by the doctors. However, the
deceased's family suspected foul play and accused the jail officials behind the
sudden death. They claimed that he was absolutely healthy when they met him at

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the court premises one day earlier and that they were suddenly informed about the
death of the deceased.298
Case 6: Undertrial Veerpal @ Central Jail Burail, UT of Chandigarh
On 24 February 2020, undertrial prisoner identified as Veerpal @ Veeru (28 years)

died due to alleged torture at Burail Central jail in Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Veerpal, a resident of Sector-56 in Chandigarh, was arrested and sent to judicial
custody in 2019 in connection with a case of snatching. Jail officials claimed that in
the morning of 24 February the undertrial committed suicide by making a noose
from a shawl in the jail’s bathroom. The family members rejected the suicide claim
and alleged that Veerpal was tortured to death in custody. They also claimed that
blood was coming out of deceased’s mouth and throat. Deceased’s wife Sonia
claimed that her husband was absolutely healthy when she met him on 22 February
in the court premises. She further claimed that her husband also asked her to meet
him in the jail on 24 February.299
Case 7: Prisoner Nazrul Islam Sheikh @ Central Jail Dumka, Jharkhand

On 29 July 2020, a convict identified as Nazrul Islam Sheikh (50 years) died under
suspicious circumstances at Dumka Central jail in Dumka district, Jharkhand. The
prisoner, a resident of Vijaypur under Kotalpokhar police station area in Sahebganj
district, was sentenced to five years jail by a court on 14 January 2020 in connection
with assault in a land dispute case. On 29 July, he was shifted from Sahebganj
district jail to Dumka Central jail and he died on the same day. Jail officials claimed
that the deceased died due to heart attack. They claimed that in the night of 29 July
the prisoner suddenly complained of chest pain, after which he was taken to the
Dumka Medical College and Hospital where he died during treatment. However, the
family members of the deceased alleged that Nazrul Islam Sheikh was tortured
inside the jail, which led to his death. On 4 August, the NHRC directed the District
Collector, Dumka, SP, Dumka, and Superintendent of Prison, District Jail to submit
the relevant reports. 300
Case 8: Undertrial Dinesh Narkar @ Central Jail Taloja, Maharashtra
On 29 July 2020, undertrial Dinesh Narkar (36 years) died at Taloja central jail in
Raigad district, Maharashtra. Jail officials claimed that on 10 July 2020 the prisoner
tested positive for COVID-19, after which he was admitted to the jail hospital. Later,
on 20 July 2020 he tested negative for COVID-19 but he was kept in the ward of jail
hospital as he had weakness. He was found dead in the jail hospital in the morning
of 29 July. However, the family members of the deceased leveled allegations of foul
play in the death of the deceased.301

301. NHRC Case No. 1135/13/20/2020-JCD
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Case 9: Undertrial Sajid Khan @ Sub-Jail Burhar, Madhya Pradesh
On 30 July 2020, under-trial prisoner identified as Sajid Khan (30 years), S/o Saffar
died due to alleged torture in custody of Burhar sub-jail in Shahdol district, Madhya
Pradesh. Sajid, a resident of Sangram Singh Dafai Dhanpuri under Burhar police
station area in Shahdol district, was sent to jail on 9 June 2020. Jail officials claimed
that in the morning of 30 July the prisoner committed suicide by hanging himself
with a towel inside the premises of the jail. However, the family members refuted
the claim of the jail officials and alleged that he was tortured to death in the jail. The
family members refused to accept the dead body of the deceased and demanded
action against the accused jail officials.302
Case 10: Undertrial Bijendra Ban @ Circle Jail Choudwar, Odisha
On 18 August 2020, undertrial Bijendra Ban (21 years) died at Choudwar circle jail in
Cuttack district, Odisha. The undertrial was arrested by Central Division Excise
officials and sent to judicial custody on 16 August 2020 in connection with an alleged
Ganja smuggling case. Jail officials claimed Bijendra committed suicide by hanging
himself from the fan with the help of a towel in the COVID-19 isolation ward of the
jail. However, the family members suspected foul play and demanded a high level
enquiry.303
Case 11: 15-year-old Pankaj Kumar @ District Jail Etawah, Uttar Pradesh
On 23 August 2020, a minor boy of 15 years identified as Pankaj Kumar died due to
alleged torture in the custody of Etawah district jail in Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh.
Pankaj, a resident of Kukurkat village under Erwakatra police station in Auraiya
district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody on 10 August 2020 for eloping with
a girl. Jail officials claimed that on 23 August Pankaj committed suicide by hanging
himself by using his scarf from the hook outside his barrack. However, the family
members accused the jail officials of torture and killing the deceased inside the jail.
They alleged that Pankaj was brutally assaulted inside the jail which led to his death.
The family members also questioned as to why the minor was sent to the district
jail, instead of juvenile home as he was only 15 years.304

302. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 14.08.2020 in Case No. 1590/12/41/2020-JCD
303. Undertrial prisoner dies by suicide in Choudwar Circle Jail, available at
https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/orissa+post-epaper-
orisapos/undertrial+prisoner+dies+by+suicide+in+choudwar+circle+jail-newsid-
n207434418
Page 107 of 188


Case 12: Undertrial Imran @ Sub-Jail Susner, Madhya Pradesh
On 4 September 2020, undertrial Imran @ Anna (39 years), S/o Baram Lala died due
to alleged torture at Susner Sub-jail in Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh. Jail
officials claimed that in the morning of 4 September the undertrial was found
hanging in the jail’s bathroom. However, the deceased’s family alleged that he was
killed inside the jail. They alleged that he was tortured by the jail officials which led
to his death. The deceased’s brothers Furkan, Javed, and Kamil Lala claimed to have
seen injury marks on the body of the deceased.305
Case 13: Undertrial Himanshu Panwar @ District Jail Jagadhri, Haryana
On 18 September 2020, undertrial prisoner identified as Himanshu Panwar (24

years) died due to alleged torture at district jail at Jagadhri in Yamunanagar district
of Haryana. The deceased, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested and sent to
judicial custody on 12 September 2020 in connection with a theft case. Jail officials
claimed that in the night of 18 September 2020 the deceased complained of
stomach pain and died at Mukand Lal Civil Hospital and Trauma Centre during
treatment. However, the deceased’s uncle, Ishwar Singh alleged that Himanshu
Panwar died due to custodial torture.306
Case 14: Undertrial Shamsher Ansari @ District Jail Bettiah, Bihar
On 22 September 2020, undertrial Shamsher Ansari (28 years) died due to alleged
torture at Bettiah district jail in West Champaran district, Bihar. Shamsher, a resident
of Dargah Maholla of Bettiah city under the district, was arrested and sent to judicial
custody on 9 July 2020 for allegedly creating communal disharmony. Jail officials
claimed that the undertrial was mentally unstable and on 22 September committed
suicide by hanging himself from a tree inside the jail’s premises. However, the family
members rejected the suicide claim and alleged that Shamsher was beaten to death
inside the jail.307
Case 15: Prisoner Mohammed Iliyas @ District Jail Gonda, Uttar Pradesh
On 26 September 2020, a convict identified as Mohammed Iliyas (68 years), S/o

Mohammed Azim died at Gonda district jail in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. The
prisoner, a resident of Tiwari Purwa village in the district, was serving life
imprisonment since 2008. Jail officials claimed that on 26 September the prisoner’s
health suddenly deteriorated and fell down, after which he was taken to the district
hospital where he was declared dead. However, the family members accused the jail
administration of subjecting him to torture and negligence. The deceased’s younger
brother Mohammed Ibrar alleged that his brother was tortured to death in judicial

305. NHRC Case No. 1906/12/57/2020-AD
306. NHRC Case No. 1967/7/20/2020-AD
307. NHRC Case No. 2727/4/9/2020-JCD
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custody. He stated that the deceased was found in semi-naked state with injury
marks on his head.308
Case 16: Prisoner Asghar Mansoori @ Central Jail Nashik, Maharashtra
On 7 October 2020, a convict identified as Asghar Mansoori (32 years) died at

Nashik Central jail in Nashik district, Maharashtra. Jail officials claimed that in the
morning of 7 October he was found hanging in a prison cell. However, there was
allegation of torture and harassment of the deceased by the prison staff.309
Case 17: Undertrial Mantu @ District Jail Betul, Madhya Pradesh
On 24 October 2020, undertrial Mantu @ Shankar (45 years) died at Betul district jail
in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of Hamlapur village in
the district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in connection with an alleged
murder and rape case. Jail officials claimed that on 21 October 2020 the undertrial
was admitted to the district hospital after he consumed acid that was kept in the
bathroom. Mantu was referred to Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital in critical condition
where he died in the night of 24 October. However, according to the family
members, before dying, Mantu had alleged that he was tortured by the jail officials
inside the jail. He alleged that he was stripped naked and brutally beaten up and he
could not sleep for three days due to pain in his body.310
Case 18: Prisoner Jeevan Singh @ Open Jail Sampurnanand, Uttarakhand
On 10 December 2020, a convicted prisoner identified as Jeevan Singh (45 years),

S/o Guman Singh died under suspicious circumstances at Sampurnanand Open Jail
at Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar district, Uttarakhand. The prisoner, a resident of
Rawal Gaon village in Pithoragarh district, was serving life imprisonment since last
10 years in connection with a murder case. Jail officials claimed that in the night of
10 December the prisoner was found lying in unconscious condition, after which he
was taken to the nearest CHC, where he was declared brought dead. However, the
family members alleged that Jeevan Singh was killed by the jail officials with a sharp
weapon inside the jail.311
Case 19: Undertrial Mohammad Rahish @ District Jail Dewas, Madhya

Pradesh
On 28 December 2020, undertrial Mohammad Rahish (29 years), S/o Mohammad

Yunus died due to alleged torture at Dewas district jail in Dewas district, Madhya
Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of Nahar Darwaja area in the district, was

308. NHRC Case No. 20102/24/33/2020-JCD
309. NHRC Case No. 1395/13/19/2020-AD
310. NHRC Case No. 2315/12/5/2020
311. NHRC Case No. 1062/35/12/2020-ad
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arrested and sent to judicial custody two months ago on charges of stealing utensils.
Jail officials claimed that the undertrial died due to illness. However, the family
members alleged that he was tortured in the jail, which led to his death. Deceased’s
father alleged that he tried to talk with his son on phone eight days earlier, but he
could not talk, and in the afternoon of 28 December he suddenly saw pictures of his
son’s dead body that was being circulated on WhatsApp. Deceased’s brother Irfan
alleged that they were not allowed to meet him in the jail.312
3.2. Deaths due to denial or lack of medical treatment
Many cases of deaths in the jails are due to the denial of timely and appropriate
medical facilities to the prisoners. During the year, many prisoners died due to
COVID-19 in various jails of the country.
Case 1: Kamlendra, Rajasthan
On 9 January 2020, undertrial Kamlendra @ Monu (26 years) died at a Sub-jail

under Kotputli police station area in Jaipur district, Rajasthan. The undertrial, a
resident of Sikar district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in connection with
a rape case. Jail officials claimed that he complained of chest pain, after which he
was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.313
Case 2: Sirajuddin, Uttar Pradesh
On 6 January 2020, undertrial Sirajuddin (28 years) died at Lakhimpur Kheri district
jail in Uttar Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of Partapur village in Izzatnagar area
in Bareilly district, was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad of State Police from
Bareilly in connection with an alleged involvement in a terror funding case. He was
in the jail since October 2019. Jail officials claimed that on 5 January 2020 at around
3 am, he had vomited in his barrack and went to sleep after medical support. But, in
the morning he was found unconscious after which he was taken to the District
Hospital, from where he was referred to King George's Medical University, Lucknow,
where he died in the morning of 6 January. However, the deceased's father
Shamshuddin alleged that his son was fine when they met him on 20 December
2019 and suspected foul play in the death.314
Case 3: Pramod Singh, Bihar
On 13 January 2020, a convict identified as Pramod Singh (56 years), S/o Late
Shankh Singh died at Arrah jail in Bhojpur district, Bihar. Jail officials claimed that
the prisoner complained of chest pain after which he was taken to the hospital, but
he died on the way due to heart attack and illness. However, the family members

313. NHRC Case No. 136/20/14/2020-jcd
314. Complaint dated 09.01.2020 filed by the Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC
Page 110 of 188


alleged Pramod died due to negligence by the jail administration. The family
members claimed that he died inside the jail, not on the way to hospital and that
they found foam in the mouth and nose of the deceased.315
Case 4: Sumit Sachdeva, Punjab
On 14 January 2020, undertrial Sumit Sachdeva (28 years) died under mysterious
circumstances at Ludhiana Central Jail in Ludhiana district, Punjab. Sumit, a resident
of Sahnewal city in the district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody on 5
January 2020 in connection with a drug related case. Jail officials claimed that on 14
January Sumit’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to the jail
hospital. Later, he was referred to the civil hospital after he complained of severe
pain in his body, where he died on the same day. However, the deceased's brother
Sunil Sachdeva accused the jail administration of negligence in providing medical
treatment, which led to his death.316
Case 5: Ganesh Rajbhar, Uttar Pradesh
On 21 January 2020, a convict identified as Ganesh Rajbhar (67 years) died at Balia
district jail in Uttar Pradesh. Ganesh, a resident of Maniyar in the district, was
serving life imprisonment in connection with a murder case. Jail officials claimed the
deceased prisoner had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment in the
hospital. On 21 January, he died during treatment. However, the deceased's family
accused the jail administration of negligence in providing medical treatment.317
Case 6: Ramkrishna, Uttar Pradesh
On 24 January 2020, undertrial Ramkrishna (60 years) died due to alleged medical
negligence at Shahjahanpur district jail, Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Jail officials
claimed that in the night of 23 January 2020 the prisoner’s health suddenly
deteriorated, after which he was taken to a nearby government hospital, where he
died on 24 January. However, the deceased's family accused the jail administration
of denying timely medical treatment, resulting in his death.318
Case 7: Shankar Bhuiyan, Bihar
On 27 January 2020, undertrial Shankar Bhuiyan died at Gaya Central Jail in Gaya
district, Bihar. The undertrial, a resident of Matha village under Dumaria police
station in the district, was undergoing trial since 2013 in connection with an alleged
murder case. Jail officials claimed that the undertrial was suffering from illness and
he was undergoing treatment since 28 December 2019 at Anugrah Narayan Magadh

316. NHRC Case No. 139/19/10/2020-AD
318. Complaint dated 25.01.2020 filed with Campaign Against Torture with the NHRC
Page 111 of 188


Medical College, Gaya where he died in the late night of 27 January during
treatment. However, the deceased's family accused the jail administration of denying
timely and proper medical treatment, which led to his death.319
Case 8: Ram Niwas Sah, Bihar
On 4 February 2020, undertrial Ram Niwas Sah (46 years) died at Araria district jail,
Araria district, Bihar. The undertrial was being held in the jail since July 2018. On 29
January 2020, he was admitted to hospital following increase in his sugar label, as
per the jail officials. On 2 February, the undertrial was referred to a hospital in
Bhagalpur for better treatment but he could not be shifted due to non-availability of
security guards and he died on 4 February. The deceased’s family accused the jail
administration of denying timely medical treatment leading to his death.320
Case 9: Manjit Singh, Haryana
On 13 February 2020, a convict identified as Manjit Singh (34 years) died due to
alleged lack of adequate medical treatment at Central jail in Ambala district,
Haryana. Jail officials claimed that the prisoner was suffering from black jaundice
and he was undergoing treatment and on 13 February 2020 his health suddenly
deteriorated again, after which he was taken to the hospital where the doctors
declared him dead. However, the family members accused the jail administration of
negligence in providing treatment. The family members alleged that they were not
given permission to provide treatment to the deceased in private hospital.321
Case 10: Shivbalak Rajvanshi, Bihar
On 16 February 2020, a convict identified as Shivbalak Rajvanshi (41 years) died due
to alleged denial of timely and adequate treatment at Central jail in Nawada district,
Bihar. Jail officials claimed that in the evening of 16 February the prisoner’s health
suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to the Anugrah Narayan Magadh
Medical College and Hospital, Gaya where he died during treatment. However, the
family members accused the jail administration of negligence in providing treatment.
The family members further alleged that they were not informed about health
problem of the deceased.322
Case 11: Suraj Nath, Odisha
On 1 March 2020, undertrial Suraj Nath (45 years) died at Baripada Circle Jail in
Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Suraj, a resident of Sikanpur area in Sambalpur district,
was arrested and sent to judicial custody on 28 February 2020 in connection with a

319. NHRC Case No. 448/4/11/2020-ad
321. NHRC Case No. 668/7/1/2020-JCD
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domestic violence case. Jail officials claimed that on 1 March the undertrial prisoner
developed serious health complications and was admitted to the hospital, where he
died during treatment on the same day.323
Case 12: Naresh Mishra, Madhya Pradesh
On 10 March 2020, a convict identified as Naresh Mishra (45 years), S/o Chiranjee
Lal Mishra died at Chhatarpur district jail in Madhya Pradesh. The prisoner, a
resident of Bikaura village under Maharjpur police station in the district, was serving
a three month jail term after being convicted under section 325 IPC. He almost
completed his sentence and was to be released on 18 March. Jail officials claimed
that on 10 March his health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to the
Chhatarpur district hospital where he died during treatment.324
Case 13: Rakesh, Uttar Pradesh
On 17 March 2020, undertrial Rakesh (31 years) died at Goshainganj district jail in
Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh. Rakesh, a resident of Ghasyari Mandi under
Qaiserbagh Police Station in Lucknow, was arrested and sent to judicial custody
about one year ago under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)
Act. Jail officials claimed that the undertrial prisoner was suffering from serious
illness for a long time. They further claimed that on 17 March he was admitted to
the Balrampur hospital Lucknow where he died during treatment. However, the
family members of the deceased accused the jail administration of negligence in
providing treatment. The deceased's brother Nitin alleged that their family was never
informed about any such serious illness of his brother which could lead to his
death.325
Case 14: Mahaveer Singh, Uttar Pradesh
On 31 March 2020, Mahaveer Singh (65 years), S/o Brijpal Singh died at Etah district
Jail in Uttar Pradesh. The prisoner was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder
case. Jail officials claimed that in the night of 30 March 2020 the prisoner
complained of chest pain, after which he was taken to the district hospital where he
died the next day. However, the family members accused the jail administration of
negligence in the medical treatment.326
Case 15: Raman, Haryana
On 25 April 2020, undertrial Raman (31 years), S/o Rajendra Balmiki died at
Yamunanagar district jail in Yamunanagar district, Haryana. Jail officials claimed

323. NHRC Case No. 779/18/9/2020-jcd
325. NHRC Case No. 7280-24-48-2020-jcd
326. NHRC Case No. 7319/24/22/2020-JCD
Page 113 of 188


Raman complained of uneasiness and vomiting, after which he was taken to the jail
hospital. He was taken to the district hospital after his health deteriorated, where he
died. The family members accused the jail administration of negligence in providing
treatment.327
Case 16: Mujeeb Siddique, Jammu & Kashmir
On 11 June 2020, undertrial Mujeeb Siddiqui (45 years) died at Srinagar Central Jail
in Jammu and Kashmir. Mujeeb, a resident of Rawalpora in Srinagar, was sent to
judicial custody after he was arrested in connection with FIR No. 12/2020 U/S 66-D
IT Act, 419,420,506 IPC on 14 May 2020. Jail officials claimed that on 10 June the
undertrial complained of uneasiness and admitted at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of
Medical Sciences in Srinagar where he died the next day.328
Case 17: Bhawani Singh, Rajasthan
On 6 July 2020, a convict prisoner identified as Bhawani Singh (45 years) in the
judicial custody at Central Jail under Alwar district of Rajasthan. Jail officials claimed
that in the night of 5 June 2020 the deceased’s health suddenly deteriorated, after
which he was taken to a nearest hospital where he died.329
Case 18: Jitendra, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 July 2020, a convict identified as Jitendra @ Chiku (40 years) died at Etah
district jail under Etah district, Uttar Pradesh. The prisoner, a resident of Basi village
under Kiratpur police station in Bijnor district, was serving life imprisonment in
connection with kidnapping and murder cases. According to the jail officials, the 40-
year-old prisoner suddenly complained of chest pain in the night of 13 July and was
declared brought dead by the doctors at the district hospital.330
Case 19: Rupesh Mandal, Bihar
On 13 July 2020, undertrial prisoner identified as Rupesh Mandal (32 years) died at
Special Central Jail in Bhaglapur district, Bihar. Jail officials claimed that in the
morning of 13 July Rupesh complained of chest pain after which he was taken to
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur where he died during
treatment on the same day.331

327. NHRC Case No. 792/7/20/2020-AD
328. NHRC Case No. 86/9/13/2020-AD
331. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 18.08.2020 in NHRC Case No. 2017/4/5/2020-JCD
Page 114 of 188


Case 20: Dilip Das, Tripura
On 18 July 2020, Dilip Das (55 years) died at the Kanchanpur Sub-Jail in North
Tripura district in Tripura due to alleged negligence of the jail authorities. On 18
July, in order to decongest the over-crowded Dharmanagar sub-jail in view of spurt
in Covid-19 cases in Tripura, Dilip was shifted to Kanchanpur Sub-Jail in North
Tripura district. Sub jailer of Kanchanpur jail S Darlong said that all health
parameters of the deceased was found normal during his health checkup conducted
before his admission to the jail on 18 July. He said the deceased suffered from
respiratory distress during the night and was taken to Kanchanpur Sub-Divisional
Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival. The family members
accused the jail authorities of gross negligence and alleged that the deceased died
for want of timely medical attention.332
Case 21: Buddha Prakash, Uttar Pradesh
On 20 July 2020, a convict identified as Buddha Prakash (32 years) died in hospital
while in judicial custody at the Meerut district jail in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh.
The prisoner, a resident of Pavli village under Kanker Khera police station in the
district, was serving life imprisonment in connection with a murder case. Jail officials
claimed that on 20 July his health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken
to a nearest hospital where he died during treatment.333
Case 22: Manoj, Madhya Pradesh
On 22 July 2020, undertrial Manoj (47 years), S/o Kumdan Singh Chauhan died in
the custody of Ratlam district jail in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh. He was
arrested and sent to judicial custody in July 2015 in connection with three cases of
committing fraud and cheating. Jail officials claimed that Manoj’s health suddenly
deteriorated after which he was admitted to the Ratlam district hospital for
treatment. On 17 July, he was referred to Indore, from where he was taken back to
the district hospital where he died on 22 July during treatment.334
Case 23: Ashok, Uttar Pradesh
On 25 July 2020, a convict identified as Ashok (28 years) died in the custody of
Kasganj district jail in Kasganj district, Uttar Pradesh. The convict, a resident of
Hakimganj village under Patiyali police station in the district, was serving life
imprisonment since 2011 in connection with a murder case. Jail officials claimed that
the deceased was suffering from kidney and sugar diseases for the last many days.

No. 25/23/2/2020-AD)
Page 115 of 188


On 24 July 2020, the prisoner’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was
taken to the Kasganj district hospital where he died during treatment.335
Case 24: Ashok Chaudhary, Maharashtra
On 25 July 2020, a convict identified as Ashok Chaudhary (53 years) died in the
custody of Central jail, Nagpur in Maharashtra. Ashok, a resident of Nagpur city, was
serving life imprisonment at the Central Jail. Jail officials claimed that on 25 July his
health suddenly deteriorated and died at a government hospital during treatment.336
Case 25: Karru Majhi, Chhattisgarh
On 28 July 2020, a convict identified as Karru Majhi (40 years), S/o Budhan Manjhi
died in custody of Ambikapur central jail in Surguja district, Chhattisgarh. The
prisoner was sentenced to life imprisonment on 30 June 2017 in a murder case. Jail
officials claimed that in the morning of 28 July his health suddenly deteriorated, after
which he was taken to a nearest hospital where he died during treatment.337
Case 26: Nazrul Islam Sheikh, Jharkhand
On 29 July 2020, a convict identified as Nazrul Islam Sheikh (50 years) died under
suspicious circumstances at Dumka Central jail in Dumka district, Jharkhand. Jail
officials claimed the prisoner died due to heart attack. They claimed that in the night
of 29 July he suddenly complained of chest pain, after which he was taken to the
Dumka Medical College and Hospital where he died during treatment. However, the
family members alleged Nazrul was a heart patient but denied medication at Dumka
central Jail, resulting in his death.338
Case 27: Death of Guddu due to COVID-19, Uttar Pradesh
On 30 July 2020, undertrial Guddu Qureshi (34 years) died in custody of

Shahjahanpur district jail in Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The deceased, a
resident of Takia Mohalla under Kant police station area in Shahjahanpur district,
was arrested and sent to judicial custody on 14 April 2020 under the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Jail officials claimed that on 29 July the undertrial
complained of chest pain and breathing problem, after which he was admitted to the
Shahjahapur Medical College and hospital, where he died the next day after he
reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.339

No. 364/33/16/2020-AD)
338. NHRC Case No. 762/34/5/2020-AD
339. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 19.08.2020 in NHRC Case No. 14857/24/63/2020-AD
Page 116 of 188


Case 28: Chandrabose Bhagat, Himachal Pradesh
On 1 August 2020, undertrial Chandrabose Bhagat (27 years) died in custody of

Nahan Central Jail in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of
Bishunpur in Gumla district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in 2016 in
connection with an alleged murder case. Jail officials claimed that on 1 August he
complaint of breathing problem, after which he was admitted to a nearest hospital
where he was declared dead.340
Case 29: Death of Gajendra due to COVID-19, Uttar Pradesh
On 4 August 2020, a convict identified as Gajendra (56 years) died in custody of

Central Jail in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. The prisoner, a resident of Dankaur
under Loni police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, was serving life
imprisonment since March 2009 in connection with a rape case. Jail officials claimed
that on 3 August 2020 the deceased complained of breathing problem, after which
he was taken to the district hospital where he tested COVID-19 positive and he died
the next morning.341
Case 30: Dinesh Gangadhar Charpe, Maharashtra
On 5 August 2020, a convict identified as Dinesh Gangadhar Charpe (31 years) died
in custody of Nagpur Central jail in Nagpur district, Maharashtra. The prisoner, a
resident of Ganesh Nagar (Gittikhadan) in the district, was serving eight year jail
term after his conviction in a rape case few months ago. Jail officials claimed that
the prisoner suffered severe head injuries after he slipped on the floor and was
taken to Govt Medical College, Nagpur where he died on 5 August.342 On 19 August,
the NHRC directed the DM, Nagpur, the Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, and the
Superintendent Central Prison, Nagpur to submit the relevant reports.343
Case 31: Vishnu Shankar Pandey, Bihar
On 8 August 2020, undertrial Vishnu Shankar Pandey (40 years) died under
mysterious circumstances at Buxar Central jail in Buxar district, Bihar. Vishnu, a
resident of Ramobaria village in Buxar district, was sent to judicial custody three
months earlier in connection with a land dispute case. Jail officials claimed that his
health suddenly deteriorated on 8 August, after which he was taken to the Sadar

No. 14935/24/14/2020-AD)
No. 940/13/17/2020-JCD)
343. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 19.08.2020 in Case No. 940/13/17/2020-JCD
Page 117 of 188


hospital where he died during treatment on the same day. However, the family
members alleged that Vishnu died due to medical negligence.344
Case 32: Shri Chand, Haryana
On 9 August 2020, a convict identified as Shri Chand (43 years) died in the custody
of Dulina district jail in Jhajjar district of Haryana. The deceased, a resident of
Koyalpur Village in Jhajjar district of Haryana, was serving 10 years jail term having
convicted in a sexual assault case a few months earlier. Jail officials claimed that the
deceased was suffering from illness from the last few days and on 9 August his
health suddenly deteriorated, after which he died on the way while being taken to
the hospital.345
Case 33: K Siva Kumar, Andhra Pradesh
On 10 August 2020, undertrial K Siva Kumar (28 years) died in custody of Tirupati
Sub-jail in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Siva Kumar, a resident of Mudikuntla
village under Pakala mandal in Chittoor district, was arrested and sent to judicial
custody on 10 March 2020 in connection with an alleged murder case. Jail officials
claimed that on 10 August he was found lying unconscious on the floor, after which
he was taken to the Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government General
Hospital in Tirupati, where he died on the same day.346
Case 34: Raju Raine, Uttar Pradesh
On 13 August 2020, undertrial Raju Raine (37 years), S/o Late Bhola Raine died at
Fatehpur district jail in Fatehpur district, Uttar Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of
Arabpur Mohalla under Sadar Kotwali area in Fatehpur district, was arrested and
sent to judicial custody on 4 September 2016 under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Jail officials claimed that in the midnight of 12 August
Raju’s health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to a nearest hospital
where he died during treatment.347
Case 35: Death of Manikandan due to COVID-19, Kerala
On 16 August 2020, undertrial Manikandan @ Yathiraj died at Poojappura Central

Jail in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The undertrial, a resident of Kilimanoor
in Thiruvananthapuram district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in August
2016 in connection with an alleged murder case. Jail officials claimed that the
deceased died of COVID-19. They further claimed that on 10 August the deceased
tested positive with the virus after having symptoms of fever. Thereafter, he was

Page 118 of 188


admitted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital where he died on 16
August during treatment.348
Case 36: Sujit Gaur, Tripura
On 23 August 2020, undertrial Sujit Gaur (32 years) died at Kamalpur sub-jail in
Dhalai district, Tripura. Sujit, a resident of Kamalpur town in the district, was
arrested in the morning of 23 August on charges of domestic violence. He was sent
to judicial remand by the court on the same day. Jail officials claimed that in the
evening of 23 August after being taken to the Kamalpur sub-jail the deceased felt ill,
after which he was taken to the Kamalpur Sub-Divisional Hospital where he was
declared brought dead by the doctors. The family members of the victim alleged that
they were not informed about his illness before sending him to jail.349
Case 37: Death of Gulbadan due to COVID-19, Uttar Pradesh

On 6 September 2020, undertrial Gulbadan (57 years) died at Banda district Jail in
Uttar Pradesh. Gulbadan was sent to judicial custody in connection with a case of
culpable homicide. Jail officials claimed he died due to COVID-19. They claimed that
the deceased had tested positive of COVID-19 on 1 September 2020 and he died on
6 September 2020 during treatment.350
Case 38: Sambu Komuraiah, Telangana
On 13 September 2020, undertrial Sambu Komuraiah (45 years) died at Karimnagar

district jail in Karimnagar district, Telangana. Sambu, a resident of Ippalapally village
of Shankarapatnam mandal in the district, was accused of stealing and arrested on
10 September 2020. Jail officials claimed that the undertrial prisoner was an
alcoholic and had withdrawal syndromes. They claimed that due to this reason he
was admitted to the prison hospital for two days and when his condition became
serious in the night of 13 September he was taken to the district headquarters
hospital where he died during treatment.351
Case 39: Death of Jugal Khandual due to COVID-19, Odisha
On 15 September 2020, under-trial prisoner identified as Jugal Khandual (40 years)

died at Jharpada Special Jail at Bhubaneswar in Khordha district of Odisha. Jail
officials claimed that the undertrial prisoner died due to COVID-19. They claimed
that on 13 September 2020 he was admitted to Capital Hospital after he complained

349. NHRC Case No. 40/23/5/2020-AD
351. NHRC Case No. 1873/36/3/2020-AD
Page 119 of 188


of fever. Later, he was shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, where
he died during treatment on 15 September.352
Case 40: Hari Majhi, Assam
On 23 September 2020, undertrial Hari Majhi (46 years) died under suspicious
circumstances in custody at Jorhat Central Jail in Jorhat district of Assam. The
deceased, a resident of Teok in Jorhat district, was arrested and sent to judicial
custody on 2 September 2019 on the charges of murder of Dr. Deben Dutta at Teok
Tea Estate. Jail officials claimed that on 22 September 2020 morning, the deceased
was found unconsciousness in his cell and he was taken to the jail hospital from
where he was shifted to Jorhat Medical College & Hospital and he died in the
morning of 24 September 2020 at the hospital.353
Case 41: Krishna Kumar, Uttar Pradesh
On 28 September 2020, an undertrial prisoner identified as Krishna Kumar (22

years), S/o Ram Niwas died at Firozabad district jail in Uttar Pradesh. Krinsha, a
resident of Nagla Mirza under Ramgarh police station area in the district, was
arrested and sent to judicial custody on 27 May 2020 in connection with a
kidnapping and attempt to murder case. Jail officials claimed that his health
suddenly deteriorated in the morning of 28 September, after which he was taken to
the district hospital and died during treatment.354
Case 42: Subhash, Himachal Pradesh
On 1 October 2020, a convict identified as Subhash (49 years) died at Dharamshala

jail in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Jail officials claimed that on 1 October his
health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was taken to the Dharamshala hospital,
from where he was referred to the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College
in Tanda where he died during treatment.355
Case 43: Shameer, Kerala
On 1 October 2020, undertrial Shameer (32 years) died at the Covid First Line
Treatment Centre (CFLTC) of Viyyur Central jail at Ambilikkala in Thrissur district,
Kerala. He was arrested in connection with selling of ganja (marijuana). Jail officials
claimed that Shameer was lodged at the CFLTC on 29 September 2020. Next day his
condition deteriorated and he was taken to the general hospital, from where he was

352. NHRC Case No. 2454/18/28/2020-ad
353. NHRC Case No. 185/3/7/2020-AD
354. NHRC Case No. 19607/24/28/2020-ad
355. NHRC Case No. 151/8/4/2020-AD
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referred to the Thrissur Medical Collage where he died during treatment on 1
October 2020.356
Case 44: Jaypal Singh, Odisha
On 9 November 2020, undertrial Jaypal Singh (47 years) died at Paralakhemundi

sub-jail in Gajapati district, Odisha. Jaypal, a resident of Haryana, was undergoing
trial since October 2020 on the charges of smuggling ganja. Officials claimed that on
9 November morning he was found in an unconscious condition by the jail staffers.
He was rushed to Gajapati district headquarters hospital (DHH) where the doctors
declared him brought dead.357
Case 45: Rahul, Uttar Pradesh
On 23 November 2020, undertrial Rahul (27 years) died at district jail Luksar in
Gautam Budh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. Rahul, a resident of JJ Colony of Sector-
4, Noida, was lodged in the jail since 2019 in a case of robbery. Jail officials claimed
that the undertrial was suffering from stomach ailment, and on 22 November his
health suddenly deteriorated, after which he was admitted to the district hospital in
Noida where he died the next day.358
Case 46: Vijay Giri, Madhya Pradesh
On 29 November 2020, undertrial Vijay Giri (50 years), S/o Shiv Giri, died at Morena
district jail in Madhya Pradesh. Vijay, a resident of Bhelakalan village in Gwalior
district, was arrested in a murder case and was lodged in the jail since 20 January
2020. Jail officials claimed on 29 November at around 1 am his health suddenly
deteriorated, after which he was taken to a nearest hospital where he died.
However, the deceased’s family members alleged that Vijay died due to medical
negligence of the jail administration. The deceased’s son Mohan Giri alleged that his
father suffered from diabetes but was denied treatment.359
Case 47: Sheela Devi, Jharkhand
On 5 December 2020, an undertrial woman prisoner identified as Sheela Devi (55

years) died at Madini Nagar Central Jail in Palamu district, Jharkhand. The prisoner,
a resident of Rajhara village in the district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody
on 17 October 2020. Jail officials claimed that on 5 December her health suddenly
deteriorated, after which she was taken to the Medini Rai Medical College & Hospital
in Palamu, where she died on the same day.360

356. NHRC Case No. 479/11/13/2020-ad
357. NHRC Case No. 3059/18/21/2020-ad
358. NHRC Case No. 25226/24/30/2020-AD
359. NHRC Case No. 2630/12/29/2020-AD
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Case 48: Arakkan Ravi, Tamil Nadu
On 6 December 2020, undertrial Ravi @ Arakkan Ravi (44 years) died at Coimbatore
Central Prison in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Ravi, a resident of Annai Sandhya
Nagar near Agraharam in Erode district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in
October 2020 in connection with alleged theft and burglaries cases. Jail officials
claimed that on 6 December at around 2 am he complained of feeling of uneasiness
and suddenly collapsed inside the jail premises and died on the same day.361
Case 49: Bablu Sardar, Rajasthan

On 13 December 2020, Bablu Sardar alias Jaspal Singh (55 years), an undertrial
lodged at Kota central jail in Rajasthan for over two years, died during treatment.
The undertrial was rushed to the hospital late in the night of 13 December after he
allegedly sustained head injuries after falling onto the ground near toilets in his jail
barrack. The deceased prisoner’s brother Harvinder Singh demanded fair probe into
the matter and pointed out that the deep wound on his brother’s forehead could not
have been caused only by falling on the ground.362
Case 50: Kamala Kanta Das, Odisha
On 23 December 2020, undertrial Kamala Kanta Das (40 years) died due to alleged
medical negligence at Jharpada Special Jail in Khordha district, Odisha. The
undertrial prisoner, a proprietor of Hotel Solan Inn and resident of Bhubaneswar in
Khordha district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in connection with a case
of cheating of Rs 10 lakh. Jail officials claimed that he died due to multiple ailments.
However, the deceased’s son Kaushik alleged that his father died due to medical
negligence stating that his father was not provided adequate and timely medical
treatment.363
Case 51: Sekar, Tamil Nadu
On 27 December 2020, undertrial Sekar (43 years) died at Madurai district jail in
Tamil Nadu. Sekar was sent to judicial custody in November 2020 in connection with
a murder case. Jail officials claimed that in the morning of 27 December the
undertrial prisoner complained of breathlessness, following which he was rushed to
the Government Hospital. He died within a few hours of admission.364

361. NHRC Case No. 7552/22/5/2020-AD
362. Rape accused undertrial dies during treatment, The Times of India, 15 December 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/rape-accused-undertrial-dies-during-
treatment/articleshowprint/79728263.cms
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3.3. Deaths due to alleged suicide in prisons
The NCAT documented a number of deaths of prisoners due to alleged suicides in

various jails of the country in 2020. It is pertinent to underline that in a number of
cases, the family members have alleged foul play and/or torture as the cause of the
deaths.
Case 1: Mohammed Shehzad Pathan @ Central Jail Sabarmati, Gujarat

On 3 January 2020, Mohammed Shehzad (25 years), an under trial in a murder and
loot case, allegedly committed suicide in the hospital of Sabarmati Central Jail in
Gujarat. According to jail officials, the undertrial prisoner hanged himself with his
pants at around 10.30 am on 3 January. A case of accidental death was registered at
Ranip police station and his body was sent for a postmortem.365
Case 2: Narottam Rawat @ Central jail Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
On 27 January 2020, undertrial Narottam Rawat (20 years) died under suspicious
circumstances in at Gwalior central jail, Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. Narottam was
arrested and sent to judicial custody on 23 January under the POCSO Act. Jail
officials claimed that on 27 January the undertrial was found hanging from a tree in
the premises of a temple within the jail complex. However, the deceased’s family
rejected the claim and accused the jail administration for the death. They also
claimed that Narottam was a minor, aged 17 years and 11 months, whereas his age
was recorded as 20 years in jail records.366
Case 3: Saluji Yadav Magare @ Central Jail Harsul, Maharashtra
On 9 February 2020, a convict identified as Saluji Yadav Magare (37 years) died
under mysterious circumstances at Harsul Central jail in Aurangabad district,
Maharashtra. Jail officials claimed that on 9 February the prisoner hanged himself
with a piece of clothes which he tore from his blanket inside the prison's toilet. He
hanged himself from the exhaust fan using the torn blanket piece.367
Case 4: Harpal @ District Jail Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh
On 2 March 2020, undertrial Harpal (32 years) died at Shahjahanpur district jail in
Uttar Pradesh. The undertrial, a resident of Pindra village of Mirzapur area in the
district, was sent to judicial custody in June 2012 under IPC sections 302 (murder),
307 (attempt to murder) and section 25 (3) of the Arms Act. Jail officials claimed
that on 2 March he committed suicide inside the jail at barrack 3.368

367. NHRC Case No. 386/13/4/2020-JCD
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Case 5: Ramnarayan Sahu @ Central Jail Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh
On 5 March 2020, a convicted prisoner identified as Ramnarayan Sahu (24 years),
S/o Babulal Sahu died under suspicious circumstances at Ambikapur Central Jail in
Surguja district of Chhattisgarh. The deceased was serving life imprisonment since
2017. Jail officials claimed that the deceased committed suicide by tying a piece of
blanket from the jail window during the night of 5 March 2020. However, the
deceased's father Babulal Sahu accused the jail administration of murder.369
Case 6: Bharat Singh @ District Jail Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh
On 25 March 2020, undertrial Bharat Singh (37 years) died at Ratlam district jail in
Madhya Pradesh. Bharat, a resident of Malhargarh town in Mandsaur district, was
sent to judicial custody on 3 February 2020. Jail officials claimed that on 25 March
the deceased prisoner committed suicide in the jail’s toilet by hanging himself with
his shirt.370
Case 7: Thiyagarajan @ Central Jail Vellore, Tamil Nadu
On 25 March 2020, undertrial Thiyagu @ Thiyagarajan (26 years) died at Vellore
Central Prison in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. Thiyagu, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar
in the district, was arrested along with his wife Kaviya (25 years) and lodged at
Vellore Central Prison in connection with a murder case in 2018. Jail officials claimed
that on 25 March the undertrial committed suicide in the jail’s toilet by hanging
himself with his lungi.371
Case 8: Nayaki Marandi @ Central Jail Dumka, Jharkhand
On 1 April 2020, a convict identified as Nayaki Marandi (45 years) died under
suspicious circumstances at Dumka central jail in Dumka district of Jharkhand. The
deceased, a resident of Pipra village under Littipada Police Station area of Pakur
district, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 in a murder case. Jail officials
claimed that on 1 April the deceased prisoner committed suicide in the jail’s toilet by
hanging himself with his lungi.372
Case 9: Woman prisoner Anju Sen @ District Jail Indore, Madhya Pradesh
On 7 April 2020, a woman undertrial prisoner identified as Anju Sen (55 years) died
at Indore district jail in Madhya Pradesh. The undertrial prisoner was arrested and
sent to judicial custody on 25 July 2019 in connection with a dowry harassment

370. NHRC Case No. 879/12/35/2020-ad
371. NHRC Case No. 3984/22/53/2020-AD
372. NHRC Case No. 369/34/5/2020-AD
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case. Jail officials claimed that on 7 April the undertrial committed suicide in the jail’s
bathroom by hanging herself with her saree.373
Case 10: Virendra @ District Jail Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
On 26 April 2020, undertrial Virendra @ Veeru (28 years) died under suspicious
circumstances in at a makeshift jail in Mathura district jail, Uttar Pradesh. Virendra, a
resident of Chhata town in the district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody two
days before in connection with a clash between two groups. Jail officials claimed that
on 26 April he committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom of a makeshift
jail. The makeshift jail was made in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.374
Case 11: Balaram Swain @ Circle Jail Chowdwar, Odisha
On 28 April 2020, a convict identified as Balaram Swain (34 years) died under
suspicious circumstances at Choudwar Circle Jail in Cuttack district, Odisha. The
deceased prisoner, a resident of Prasannapur under Balikuda police station in
Jagatsinghpur district, was sent to judicial custody in connection with a robbery and
murder case in 2014. Jail officials claimed that on 28 April the convict committed
suicide in the jail’s toilet by hanging himself with his towel.375
Case 12: Aman Agarwal @ District Jail Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
On 12 May 2020, undertrial Aman Agarwal (20 years) died at Lucknow district jail in
Uttar Pradesh. Aman, a resident of Nai Basti Nilmatha in the Cantonment area in the
district, was sent to judicial custody on 6 May 2020 in connection with a case of
elopement with a minor girl. He was found dead inside the district jail. The jail
officials claimed that on 12 May morning he committed suicide by hanging himself
with his bed-sheet inside the washroom of the jail.376
Case 13: Baljit Singh @ Amritsar Jail, Punjab
On 20 May 2020, undertrial Baljit Singh (27 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Amritsar jail in Amritsar district, Punjab. Baljit, a resident of Teda
village under Ajnala subdivision in the district, was undergoing trial since in January
2020 under various sections of the IPC. On 20 May, he was found dead inside the
jail. The jail officials claimed that Baljit committed suicide by hanging himself with a
rope inside the bathroom of the jail.377

373. NHRC Case No. 920-12-21-2020-jcd
374. NHRC Case No. 7861/24/52/2020-AD
375. NHRC Case No. 1257/18/3/2020-AD
376. NHRC Case No. 8476/24/48/2020-AD
377. NHRC Case No. 297/19/1/2020-AD
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Case 14: Pramod Kumar @ Sunaria Jail, Haryana
On 22 May 2020, undertrial Pramod Kumar (31 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Sunaria jail in Rohtak district, Haryana. According to the jail
officials, the deceased prisoner was found dead inside the jail and they claimed that
he committed suicide by hanging himself with a bed-sheet from the window of the
prisoner’s cell of the jail.378
Case 15: Balu Baburao Gadshinge @ Central Jail Taloja, Maharashtra
On 27 May 2020, an undertrial prisoner identified as Balu Baburao Gadshinge (40
years) died under suspicious circumstances at Taloja Central Jail in Navi Mumbai
under Thane district of Maharashtra. On 27 May 2020, the deceased was found dead
inside the jail. The jail officials claimed that on 27 May 2020 morning the deceased
committed suicide by hanging himself with a bed-sheet from the grill of the window
of the jail’s toilet.379
Case 16: Ram Dass and Sunil Kumar @ Central Jail Ambala, Haryana
On 16 June 2020, two undertrial prisoners identified as Ram Dass (35 years) and
Sunil Kumar (34 years) died under suspicious circumstances at Central Jail Ambala,
Ambala district, Haryana. Ram Dass of Balana village and Sunil Kumar of Saha
village were arrested on 6 June 2020 and sent to the jail in connection with a theft
cases registered against them at Baldev Nagar police station. They were reportedly
found dead inside the isolation ward of the jail. Jail officials claimed that the
deceased undertrial prisoners committed suicide by using bedsheets in the isolation
lockup.380
Case 17: Sajadu Mog @ Amarpur Jail, Tripura
On 17 June 2020, undertrial Sajadu Mog (28 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Amarpur Jail in Gomati district, Tripura. Sajadu, a resident of
Shilachari in the district, was sent to judicial custody two days earlier on his arrest
in connection with a case of quarreling. He was found dead inside the cell of the jail.
Jail officials claimed that on 17 June morning he committed suicide by hanging
himself inside the cell at Amarpur Jail.381
Case 18: R Veera Sankara Rao @ Sub-Jail Tenali, Andhra Pradesh
On 17 June 2020, undertrial R Veera Sankara Rao (50 years) died under suspicious
circumstances at Tenali sub-jail under Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. The
undertrial was arrested two days ago in a case of murder. He was sent to judicial

378. NHRC Case No. 882-7-17-2020-ad
379. NHRC Case No. 640/13/24/2020-JCD
380. NHRC Case No. 1053/7/1/2020-AD
381. NHRC Case No. 23/23/6/2020-AD
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custody on 17 June and died at the jail on the same day. Jail officials claimed that
he committed suicide by hanging himself with his shirt inside the sub-jail.382
Case 19: Bhavesh Kumar @ District Jail Nainital, Uttarakhand
On 13 July 2020, undertrial Bhavesh Kumar (21 years) died in custody of Nainital
district jail in Uttarakhand. Bhavesh was arrested in connection with a rape case. Jail
officials claimed that on 7 July the undertrial prisoner was sent to judicial custody by
a local court and when he was being taken to the Nainital jail, he escaped from the
police vehicle and later allegedly found hanging from a tree in a jungle on 13 July.383
Case 20: Gopichand Dahake @ District Jail Wardha, Maharashtra
On 3 August 2020, a convict identified as Gopichand Dahake (38 years) died at

Wardha district jail in Maharashtra. The prisoner, a resident of Umarkhed in
Yavatmal district, was serving jail term from the last few months in connection with
a murder case. Jail officials claimed that in the night of 2 August 2010 the prisoner
committed suicide by hanging himself from a window using a scarf. 384
Case 21: Surat Singh @ Central Jail Sitarganj, Uttarakhand
On 9 August 2020, a convict identified as Surat Singh @ Suri (43 years), S/o Sher
Singh died at Sitarganj Central jail in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand.
Surat Singh, a resident of Devkali Thera village of Nanakmatta town in the district,
was serving life imprisonment since 2014 in a murder case. He was shifted from
Haridwar jail to Sitarganj central jail in May 2019. Jail officials claimed that in the
morning of 9 August he committed suicide in the Jail toilet by hanging himself.385
Case 22: Gyan Pratap Singh @ District Jail Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh
On 16 August 2020, undertrial Gyan Pratap Singh (25 years) died at Kasganj district
jail in Uttar Pradesh. Gyan Pratap, a resident of Akbarpur in Ambedkar Nagar district,
was arrested and sent to judicial custody in February 2019 in connection with a
murder case. Jail officials claimed that in the morning of 16 August the undertrial
prisoner committed suicide by using a bed sheet inside the jail barrack.386
Case 23: Robin Verma @ Temporary Jail Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh
On 27 August 2020, undertrial Robin Verma (40 years) died at the Temporary jail in
Firozabad district, Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested and sent to judicial custody on 19

382. NHRC Case No. 1282/1/6/2020-JCD
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August 2020 in a case of murder. Jail officials claimed that in the evening of 27
August the undertrial prisoner was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his cell.387
Case 24: Golu Kushwah @ District Jail Baran, Rajasthan
On 27 August 2020, undertrial Golu Kushwah (26 years) died in the custody of Baran
district jail in Rajasthan.Golu, a resident of Chhabra city in the district, was arrested
and sent to judicial custody on 15 July 2020 under the POCSO Act. Jail officials
claimed that on 27 August he committed suicide by hanging himself in the toilet. He
was taken to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.388
Case 25: Harishchandra Sah @ District Jail Supaul, Bihar
On 15 September 2020, undertrial Harishchandra Sah (22 years), S/o Vikas Sah died
in suspicious circumstances at Supaul district jail at Birpur in Supaul district, Bihar.
The undertrial prisoner, a resident of Rahika Tola under Murliganj police station in
Madhepura district, was sent to judicial custody on 8 September 2020 in a murder
case. Jail officials claimed that when they conducted counting of the inmates in the
evening of 15 September Harishchandra Sah was absent. Later, a search found his
body hanging in the jail’s hospital with the bedsheet given to him.389
Case 26: J. Sureshraja @ Central Jail Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

On 14 October 2020, undertrial J. Sureshraja (32 years) died in suspicious
circumstances at Coimbatore Central Jail in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. The
undertrial, a resident of Gandhipuram city in Dindigul district, was sent to judicial
custody in June 2020 on the charges of stealing two-wheelers. Jail officials claimed
that on 14 October the undertrial was found hanging inside the premises of the jail.
However, the family members of the deceased suspected foul play and held the
prison authorities responsible for his death.390
Case 27: Erva Baswaraj Nagaraju @ Central Jail Chanchalguda, Telangana
On 14 October 2020, undertrial Erva Baswaraj Nagaraju (47 years) died at
Chanchalguda Central Jail in Hyderabad, Telangana. Erva, a former Tahsildar of
Keesara and resident of Hyderabad, was arrested along with three others by the
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 14 August for allegedly taking bribe relating to a
land deal case. Jail officials claimed that at around 4:15 am of 14 October the

389. NHRC Case No. 2797/4/38/2020-AD
390. NHRC Case No. 7416/22/5/2020-ad
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undertrial committed suicide by hanging himself with a towel. Later, he was declared
brought dead in the hospital.391
Case 28: Mohammed Aayaz @ District Jail Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
On 14 October 2020, undertrial Mohammed Aayaz (38 years) died at Bareilly district
jail in Uttar Pradesh. Mohammed Aayaz, a resident of Budaun district, was arrested
and facing trial in a robbery case since 2017. Jail officials claimed that at around
4:30 am on 14 October the undertrial committed suicide by hanging himself with a
piece of cloth in the toilet. Later, he was declared brought dead in the hospital.392
Case 29: Sarvesh @ District Jail Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh
On 29 October 2020, undertrial Sarvesh (30 years) died at Sitapur district jail in
Uttar Pradesh. Jail officials claimed that on 29 October the undertrial committed
suicide by hanging himself with a towel inside the jail premises. He was declared
brought dead in the hospital.393
Case 30: B Thirupathi @ Central Jail Madurai, Tamil Nadu
On 1 November 2020, B Thirupathi (36 years) died at Madurai Central Prison in
Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. The deceased, a resident of Dr Ambedkar Colony in
Vadapalanji in Madurai district, was lodged in jail in 2019 in connection with a
murder case registered in the Nagamalai Pudukottai police station. Jail officials
claimed that on 1 November 2020 the deceased committed suicide by hanging
himself with his dhoti at the rehabilitation centre inside the prison. The deceased
was taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where he was declared brought
dead.394
Case 31: Sirajuddin, Madhya Pradesh
On 2 November 2020, undertrial Sirajuddin (40 years) allegedly committed suicide
by jumping off the watch tower of a jail in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. He was taken to
hospital but was declared dead on arrival. According to jail officials, he jumped off
between 7:30 am and 8 am when prisoners were let out from the barracks as part of
daily routine. Four guards were placed under suspension and an inquiry was ordered
into the incident.395

391. NHRC Case No. 1617/36/2/2020-AD
392. NHRC Case No. 21755/24/14/2020-AD
393. NHRC Case No. 22652/24/68/2020-AD
394. NHRC Case No. 7356/22/15/2020-AD
395. Undertrial charged with NSA jumps off watchtower in Ujjain jail, dies, The New Indian
Express, 2 November 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/nov/02/undertrial-charged-with-nsa-
jumps-off-watchtower-in-ujjain-jail-dies-2218295.html
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Case 32: Manu Manoj @ District Jail Idukki, Kerala
On 5 November 2020, undertrial Manu Manoj (24 years) died at Idukki district jail at
Muttom in Idukki district, Kerala. Manu, a resident of Nariyampara in the district,
was arrested under the provisions of the POCSO Act and SC/ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, and sent to judicial custody on 24 October 2020. Jail officials claimed
that on 5 November the deceased prisonser committed suicide inside the jail.396
Case 33: Kanti Koli @ Central Jail Bhuj, Gujarat
On 3 December 2020, undertrial Kanti Koli (30 years) died at Bhuj Central Jail in
Kutch district, Gujarat. Kanti Koli, a resident of Sangnara village in the district, was
arrested and sent to judicial custody on 25 November 2020 in connection with rape
case. Jail officials claimed that on 3 December he committed suicide by hanging
himself with a rope inside the jail premises. Later, he was declared dead at the GK
General Hospital in Bhuj.397
Case 34: Mohammad Kaif @ Bhondsi Jail, Haryana
On 18 December 2020, undertrial Mohammad Kaif (20 years) died at Bhondsi jail in
Gurugram district, Haryana. The undertrial, a resident of Ghasera village in Nuh
district, was arrested and sent to judicial custody in September 2020 in connection
with a rape case. Jail officials claimed that on 18 December he committed suicide by
hanging himself with a rope inside the jail premises. Later, he was declared dead at
the jail hospital.398
3.4. Inhuman conditions in the prisons
Prisons conditions remained deplorable across the country. Overcrowding remains

one of the biggest problems faced by inmates in India. It results in poor hygiene,
lack of sleep etc and sometimes, deaths.
As per the latest report of the NCRB, as of 31 December 2019 there were 4,78,600
prisoners against the total capacity of 4,03,739 prisoners in India’s 1,350 jails
indicating overcrowding of 118.5%. Among the States, Delhi reported the highest
overcrowding with 174.9% followed by Uttar Pradesh (167.9%), Uttarakhand
(159%), Chhattisgarh (153.3%), Uttarakhand (150%), Meghalaya (157.4%),
Madhya Pradesh (155.3%), Sikkim (153.8%), Maharashtra (152.7%) and
Chhattisgarh (150.1%).399
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on 23 March 2020
directed state governments to take measures to reduce overcrowding to prevent the

396. NHRC Case No. 517/11/5/2020-AD
399. See Chapter 1 (Prisons – Types and Occupancy), Prison Statistics India 2019
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virus from spreading in jails. The Supreme Court directed the constitution of High-
Powered Committees in each State/UT to determine the categories of prisoners to
be released on interim bail/parole or furlough to reduce overcrowding in prisons. In
May 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India had, in view of
the increased vulnerability of prisoners to the COVID-19 and the rise in the number
of positive cases in prisons, issued an advisory, containing the Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for Handling Arrested Persons, Detainees and Inmates during the
Pandemic for the safe custody, medical care, transport while avoiding transmission
of COVID-19 and also ensuring the safety of prison staff. In October 2020, the NHRC
also issued an advisory on the rights of the prisoners and police personnel during
COVID-19.400
4. TORTURE BY THE ARMY AND THE CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES
The armed forces consisting of the Indian Army and the Central Armed Police Forces
(CAPF) who are deployed in the insurgency affected areas and the border areas
have the power to take persons into custody. Many cases of torture and sexual
violence at the hands of the armed forces were reported during 2020.
Case 1: Rape of a woman by BSF personnel, Odisha
On 24 February 2020, a personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) was arrested
by police on charges of raping a woman on pretext of marriage. The accused was
posted at BSF camp near Badatota in Jatni of Khordha district in Odisha. A number
of BSF battalions were deployed in Odisha to counter the Naxals.401
Case 2: Alleged torture of Bachu Libasow, Arunachal Pradesh
On 23 May 2020, Bachu Libasow (40 years) was allegedly tortured by the security
forces belonging to Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army at Zero Point in Jameri
village under Jameri Cirlce in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The victim,
a staff of Jameri Circle Office, was allegedly beaten up by the security forces when
he was reportedly sent by the Circle Officer of Jameri to assess the road blockade at
Zero Point, Jameri as an ambulance carrying one patient from Tawang was
stranded. The villagers of Jameri claimed that a scuffle broke out with the General
Reserve Engineer Forces (GREF) excavator operator when the excavator operator
was reluctant to clear the truck that stuck on the middle of the road. Meanwhile, the
junior engineer of the GREF called the security forces that were reportedly stationed

400. See
https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/Advisory%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Prisoners%
20and%20Police%20Personnel.pdf
401. BSF jawan arrested in Odisha for raping woman on pretext of marriage, India Today, 25
February 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/crime/story/odisha-bsf-jawan-arrested-raping-
woman-marriage-1649670-2020-02-25
Page 131 of 188


at Dadza in Jameri for GREF security. The security forces came and allegedly brutally
beaten up the victim. The victim sustained head injuries and was admitted at the
Community Health Center in Singchung.402
Case 3: Alleged torture of 20 tribals, Jharkhand
On 15 June 2020, at least 20 tribal villagers were allegedly subjected to torture by

the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at Anjedbeda village under
Muffasil police station in West Singhbhum (Chaibasa) district of Jharkhand. At
around 12.30 PM, a CRPF team arrived at Anjedbeda village when a group of tribal
villagers were busy repairing the house of a fellow villager named Banj Sorin. The
CRPF personnel asked them in Hindi about the Maoists movement but the tribals
villagers failed to understand the conversation in Hindi. The security forces accused
the tribal villagers of supporting the Maoists and started assaulting them with sticks
and rifle butts. Some villagers fled to escape the CRPF beatings but they were
chased down and tortured. Due to torture, at least seven tribals received serious
injuries and they were identified as (1) Guna Gope, a physically handicapped, S/o
Birsa Gope; (2) Madho Kayam, S/o Guna Kayam; (3) Bamiya Suri; (4) Guru Charan
Purti; (5) Singha Purti; (6) Sinusundi and (7) Sindiau Joshi. Among them Guna Gope
(physically handicapped) suffered fracture in his right leg and Madho Kayam
received injures on his head. Tumram Tamsoy, village Pradhan claimed that besides
beating the innocent villagers the security forces also took away land documents,
Aadhaar cards, farm animals and Rs 35,000, belonging to Ram Surin, one of the
victims.403
Case 4: Alleged rape of tribal woman, Chhattisgarh
On 27 July 2020, a 21-year-old tribal woman was allegedly raped by the Central
Reserved Police Force personnel identified as Dulichand, a constable attached to
CRPF camp in Dubbakota area under Sukma district of Chhattisgarh. The victim, a
resident of Dubbakota area under Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, was raped by
Constable Dulichand when she had gone to graze cattle in a field near the CRPF
camp under Dornapal police station.404 On 6 August 2020, the NHRC directed the
Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs to submit an action taken report in the matter
within four weeks.405
Case 5: Alleged rape of a minor girl, Tripura
On 9 August 2020, an FIR was lodged against rape of a 17-year-old minor girl by a
personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force at Kailasahar sub division in Unakoti

402. NHRC Case No. 24/2/5/2020
403. NHRC Case No. 600/34/18/2020-PF
No. 356/33/20/2020-PF)
405. Proceedings of the NHRC dated 6.8.2020 in Case No. 356/33/20/2020-PF
Page 132 of 188


district of Tripura. The accused was a 35-year-old CRPF jawan who was posted at
CRPF 124th battalion located in Salbagan in West Tripura district. He allegedly raped
the minor girl over a period of seven months and the incident came to light only
after the girl became pregnant. The parents of the girl filed a complaint at the
Kailasahar women police station against the said CRPF jawan.406
5. TORTURE BY THE FOREST DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
Apart from the police and prison officials as well the Army and the Central Armed
Police Forces, the Forest Department officials were also responsible for perpetrating
torture. The NCAT documented at least three deaths at the hands of Forest
Department officials in 2020.
Case 1: Death of a tribal Maniram Gond, Madhya Pradesh
On 19 July 2020, a tribal identified as Maniram Gond (40 years) died due to alleged
harassment by the Forest Department officials in Dhana area of Sagar district in
Madhya Pradesh. The villagers staged a road blockade on the morning of 19 July by
placing the dead body on the road and accused forest range officer Devesh Gautam
of subjecting Maniram Gond to harassment in connection with a seizure case. The
accused forest officer allegedly demanded bribe of Rs 100,000 from Maniram Gond
to free his seized tractor-trolley. According to the deceased’s wife Ashok Rani, her
husband went to meet the ranger Devesh Gautam with Rs 30,000 on 18 July 2020
but the officer refused to accept anything less than Rs 100,000. The officer allegedly
scolded the tribal farmer and while returning he suffered cardiac arrest and died.407
Case 2: Death of 70-year-old Anaikarai Muthu, Tamil Nadu
On 23 July 2020, a 70-year-old farmer identified as Anaikarai Muthu, accused of

installing illegal electric fence in his farmland, died due to alleged torture in the
custody of Kadayam Forest Range officials in Tenkasi district of Tamil Nadu.
According to the deceased’s son, A Natarajan, five Forest Department officials came
to their house in a jeep around 11.30 pm on 22 July and took his father to the forest
office in Sivasailam. He was declared brought dead at the Government Headquarters
Hospital in Tenkasi around 1.30 pm on 23 July. A Natarajan alleged that his father
was tortured by the Forest Department officials and he filed a case against them at

No. 31/23/9/2020-PF)
407. Tribal dies in Madhya Pradesh, family members allege harassment by forest officer, The
Hindustan Times, 20 July 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tribal-dies-
in-madhya-pradesh-family-members-allege-harassment-by-forest-officer/story-
obbDOl54Vd0A6agjv2fkVO.html
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the Alwarkurichi police station.408 The deceased’s wife Palammal filed a petition in
the Madras High Court seeking Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-
CID) inquiry in the custodial death of her husband. In her petition she stated that
Muthu did not have any health complication or illness and had died due to custodial
torture by the Forest Department officials.409 On 30 July, the Madurai bench of the
Madras High Court ordered a re-postmortem on the body of Anaikkarai Muthu to be
conducted by a team consisting of the heads of the department of Forensic Science
at the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi Medical Colleges and a professor from Tirunelveli
Medical College. The court ordered that the autopsy will have to be conducted
following all the guidelines laid down by NHRC.410
Case 3: Death of Balabhadra Behera, Odisha
On 13 October 2020, Balabhadra Behera (46 years) died due to alleged torture by
the Forest Department officials of Banpur Niladriprasad forest in Khordha district of
Odisha. The deceased, a resident of Golagaon village under Odagaon Tehsil in
Nayagarh district, was arrested on 13 October by the Forest Department officials
from the jungle in connection with a theft case. The suspect died in suspicious
circumstances at Banpur hospital on 14 October. The police claimed that the
deceased was arrested by the forest patrolling team of Banpur’s Niladriprasad forest
under Balugaon range and the deceased suddenly fell ill during custody following
which he was admitted to Banpur hospital but succumbed during treatment on 13
October. However, the deceased’s family members alleged that the deceased was
tortured by the Forest Department officials during custody which caused his
death.411
Case 4: Torture of a tribal Rewa Ratadia, Gujarat
On 6 June 2020, Rewa Ratadia (34 years), a tribal, was allegedly tortured by the
Rajpara range forest officer identified as Vikram Shyora and his two subordinates
colleagues at Leriya village in Visavadar Taluka under Visavadar police in Junagadh
district of Gujarat. The victim, who belonged to Maldhari, a herdsmen community in
the state, alleged that on 6 June he was tied to a tree and brutally beaten up by
three Forest Department officials of Rajpara range at Visavadar area. The victim
stated that the incident happened when he and his nephew Govind were shifting

408. Man dies while in custody of Kadayam forest dept officials, The New Indian Express, 24
July 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/jul/24/man-dies-
while-in-custody-of-kadayam-forest-dept-officials-2174186.html
409. Farmer’s wife seeks CB-CID probe into alleged custodial death, The Times of India, 28
July 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/farmers-wife-seeks-cb-cid-
probe-into-alleged-custodial-death/articleshowprint/77208405.cms
410. TN farmer custodial death: HC orders re-postmortem on wife’s plea, The News Minute,
30 July 2020, https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tn-farmer-custodial-death-hc-
orders-re-postmortem-wife-s-plea-129707
411. NHRC Case No. 3043/18/28/2020
Page 134 of 188


their families from Leria village to Dhandha village when they were stopped by the
Rajpara range forest officer. While Govind escaped, the victim was tied to a tree and
brutally beaten up by the three accused Forest Department officials. The victim
sustained serious injuries and had to be hospitalised.412
Case 5: Third degree torture of tribal Samiyappan, Tamil Nadu

On 4 December 2020, a tribal identified as Samiyappan, a resident of Achakarai was
allegedly tortured by the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) Forest Department officials
and forced him into confessing to an offence he had no role in. In a video that went
viral on social media, the victim was seen claiming to have been subjected to third
degree methods to force him to confess poisoning wild dogs. The victim could be
seen speaking from a government primary health centre at Masinagudi, where he
was undergoing treatment after attempting suicide. According to reports, MTR
officials took ten persons, including Samiyappan, to Anaikatti forest guest house on
4 December for questioning in connection with the death of five wild dogs at
Vibuthimalai in September. While three were arrested and two slapped with fine for
of offences under the Wildlife Act, five persons, including Samiyappan, were
released.413
Case 6: Torture of tribal Gyarsilal Awaye, Madhya Pradesh
On 4 December 2020, News Click reported that a tribal man identified as Gyarsilal
Awaye (45 years) was allegedly tortured by the Forest Department Officials at
Dhulkot Range Office in Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh. The victim, a resident
of Lingi under Burhanpur district, was picked up by the Forest Department officials in
connection with a false case of alleged burning down of trees in the Dhulkot forest.
When the victim was returning home in his bullock cart from the forest, he was
dragged into the forest department’s vehicle and was taken to the Dhulkot Range
Office in Burhanpur, where he was subjected to torture during his illegal detention.
Gyarsilal Awaye claimed that he was innocent and was implicated in a false case.414
Case 7: Tribal woman beaten and molested, Madhya Pradesh

On 23 December 2020, a tribal woman had complained to the police that she was
beaten and molested by Forest Department officials, and her husband’s head
tonsured in Bhikangaon forest area of Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. She
alleged that the forest department team attacked her and her husband at 2.30 am

412. NHRC Case No. 437/6/12/2020
413. Tribal man alleges torture by forest department staff, The New Indian Express, 8
December 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-
nadu/2020/dec/08/tribal-man-alleges-torture-by-forest-department-staff-2233255.html
414. MP: Tribals in Burhanpur Launch Agitation Against Alleged Assault on Farmer, News
Click, 4 December 2020, https://www.new sclick.in/MP-Tribals-Burhanpur-Launch-
Agitation-Against-Alleged-Assault-on-Farmer
Page 135 of 188


and demolished her hut with heavy equipment. She further alleged that they tied her
husband’s hands and legs and shaved his head.415
6. IMPUNITY AGAINST TORTURE & OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
India continues to provide impunity to the law enforcement personnel.

Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that no government official
or member of the armed forces alleged to have committed a criminal offence while
acting or purporting to acting in the discharge of his official duty can be prosecuted
except with the prior sanction of the Central or State government. Section 451 of the
CrPC specifically protects members of the armed forces from arrest without prior
sanction for anything done or purported to be done in the discharge of official
duties. Section 132 CrPC also protects police, armed forces and even civilians who
engage in activities to help disperse crowds from prosecution without prior sanction.
Further, Section 6 of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) provides that “No
prosecution, suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted, except with the
previous sanction of the Central Government against any person in respect of
anything done or purported to be done in exercise of powers conferred by this Act.”
Section 7 of the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990
provides the same immunity.
In its latest report “Crime in India - 2019”, the National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) recorded 85 deaths in police custody across the country in 2019. Out of
these 85 deaths, 15 cases were registered against police personnel in 2019, of which
only eight police personnel were arrested and four were chargesheeted but none
were convicted at the year’s end. Similarly, in cases of “torture/causing hurt/injury”
category, in one case a police personnel was arrested but none were convicted
during 2019.416
The NCRB report also stated that 49 cases were registered against police personnel
for human rights violation in the country during 2019. Of the 49 cases, 10 relates to
encounter killings, 15 relates to deaths in custody, one relating to torture/causing
hurt/injury, three relating to extortion and 20 other cases. Of these, 23 police

415.Beaten, molested by forest team at MP's Khargone district, says tribal, The Times of
India, 24 December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/beaten-
molested-by-forest-team-at-mps-khargone-district-says-
tribal/articleshowprint/79932928.cms
416. NCRB, Crime In India 2019, Chapter-16A ‘Custodial Crimes & Complaints Against Police
Personnel’, https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/CII%202019%20Volume%203.pdf
Page 136 of 188


personnel were arrested but chargesheets were filed against only eight personnel.
However, no conviction was secured in any of the cases at the end of 2019.417
In addition to human rights violation, the police were routinely involved in various
crimes. As per the NCRB report, a total of 4,068 criminal cases were registered
against police personnel in the country during 2019 as against 5,479 cases in 2018,
showing a decrease. Among the States, Andhra Pradesh topped with 1,681 criminal
cases against its police personnel. Out of the total cases, 1,188 police personnel
were arrested and 923 police personnel were charge-sheeted, while trials were
completed against 115 police personnel and only 12 police personnel were
convicted.418
7. TORTURE BY THE ARMED OPPOSITION GROUPS
Under Section 4(2)(a), Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August

1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts
(Protocol II) prohibits “violence to the life, health and physical or mental well-being
of persons, in particular, murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture,
mutilation or any form of corporal punishment”. The armed opposition groups have
consistently violated the Geneva Conventions.
7.1. Abuses by the armed opposition groups in J&K
The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) continued to witness violence from
the armed opposition groups. As per the Annual report 2017-2018 of the Ministry of
Home Affairs, Government of India, “Since the advent of militancy in J&K (in 1990),
14024 Civilians and 5273 Security Force (SF) personnel have lost their lives (upto
31.03.2019)”.419 The casualty of SF included the killing of at least 40 Central Reserve
Police Force personnel after a suicide bomber belonging to Jaish-e-Muhammad, a
Pakistan-based terrorist group, drove a vehicle carrying explosives into a CRPF
convoy in Pulwama, J&K on 14 February 2019.420
The armed opposition groups in J&K were responsible for the torture of the civilians
during 2020.

Personnel’, https://ncrb.gov.in/sites/default/files/CII%202019%20Volume%203.pdf
Personnel’, http://ncrb.gov.in/StatPublications/CII/CII2018/Tables.htm
419. Annual Report 2018-19, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,
https://mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/MINISTRY%20OF%20HOME%20AFFAIR%20AR%202017
-18%20FOR%20WEB.pdf
420. Press Release dated 16 February 2019, Press Information Bureau,
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=188657
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On 5 November 2020, Mohammad Ayoub Ahangar, a shopkeer, was killed by
unidentified gunmen in Tral town in Pulwama district in South Kashmir. The
deceased was fired upon by the gunmen, according to officials. He was declared
dead on arrival at a hospital.421
In another incident on 5 November 2020, militants shot at and injured Mohammad

Aslam, a driver, in the Wanpora area of Pulwama district.422
7.2. Abuses by the Naxalites
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India declared 90 districts in 11

States namely Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala as
Left Wing Extremist (LWE) affected, although in varying degrees. It says that the
CPI (Maoist) are making forays into Southern States of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu and planning to link up the Western Ghats to the Eastern Ghats through these
states. The CPI (Maoist) is planning to expand their area of activities and carve out a
base for themselves in the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.423
In a statement before the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, G.
Kishan Reddy in written replies to questions on 18 March 2020 stated that the
number of LWE related incidents reduced by over 38% in comparison to 2014. The
Minister further informed that the number of Security Force (SF) personnel killed in
the violence had reduced from 317 in 2009 to 52 in 2019, while 817 Maoists were
killed from 2015 to 2019.424
The Maoists or the Naxalites were responsible for the brutal killing of their hostages
after the abduction. The suspects were subjected to summary trial in socalled “Jan
Adalats” (Peoples’ Courts) in full public view and tortured before being killed to instil
fear among the people.

421. Civilian killed, three others injured in 4 militant attacks in Kashmir's Pulwama, India
Today, 5 November 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/civilian-killed-three-
others-injured-in-4-militant-attacks-in-kashmir-s-pulwama-1738348-2020-11-05
422. Civilian killed, three others injured in 4 militant attacks in Kashmir's Pulwama, India
Today, 5 November 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/civilian-killed-three-
others-injured-in-4-militant-attacks-in-kashmir-s-pulwama-1738348-2020-11-05
423.https://mha.gov.in/division_of_mha/left-wing-extremism-division
424. Press Release dated 18 March 2020 of Press Information Bureau of the Government of
India at
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/PR_MeasurestotackleNaxalViolence_18032020.p
df
Page 138 of 188


The Maoists continued to torture and kill people on charges of being “police
informers”, or simply for not obeying their diktats. Tribals were disproportionate
victims of attacks by the Maoists.
On 8 February 2020, Dashram, a resident of Kokernar village in Dantewada district,

Chhattisgarh, was killed with an axe by the suspected Maoists on suspicion of being
a police informer. His body was found at a roadside the next morning.425
On 29 March 2020, 40-year-old Hiralal Ramsay Kallo, a former sarpanch, was killed
by the suspected Maoists at Navejhari village in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.
Pamphlets found near the body stated that Kallo was punished for providing
information to police regarding their movement.426
On 19 April, 2020, suspected Maoists killed tribal chicken-seller Raj Kishore Gope
(35) in Sarjamburu forest under Goilkera police station area in West Singhbhum
district of Jharkhand allegedly on suspicion of being a police informer. According to
West Singhbhum Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahata, about 20 suspected
Maoists intercepted Gope in the forest area while he was returning home late in the
evening and shot him and before fleeing, the rebels also planted an improvised
explosive device (IED) near the body to target the police.427
On 14 July 2020 night, Dirdo Bheema (35 years) was dragged out from his house by
a group of 20 suspected Maoists armed with bows and arrows and killed him at
Mutheli village in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. Family members stated that Maoists
were angry with him, accusing of being a police informer.428
On 13 August 2020, Kartam Hunga (33 years) was killed with sharp weapons by the
suspected Maoists at Elarmadgu under Bheji police station in Sukma district,
Chhattisgarh. He was accused as a police informer.429

425. Naxal kills villager in Chhattisgarh on suspicion of police informer, India Today, 9
February 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/naxal-kills-villager-chhattisgarh-
suspicion-police-informer-1644792-2020-02-09
426. Chhattisgarh: Maoists kill former deputy sarpanch in Gadchiroli on suspicion of being
police informer, India Today, 30 March 2020,
https://www.indiatoday.in/crime/story/chhattisgarh-maoists-kill-former-deputy-
sarpanch-gadchiroli-suspicion-police-informer-1661407-2020-03-30
427. Naxals kill ‘cop informer’ in West Singhbhum forest, The Times of India, 21 April 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jamshedpur/naxals-kill-cop-informer-in-west-
singhbhum-forest/articleshowprint/75258786.cms
428. Suspecting him to be police aide, Maoists kill excomrade, The Times of India, 17 July
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/suspecting-him-to-be-police-aide-
maoists-kill-ex-comrade/articleshowprint/77016146.cms
429. C''garh: Naxals kill man on suspicion of being police informer, Outlook, 13 August
2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/cgarh-naxals-kill-man-on-suspicion-of-
being-police-informer/1915325
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On 4 September 2020, suspected Maoists killed at least four out of 20 tribal villagers
abducted by them from two villages of Gangaloor region in Bijapur district of
Chhattisgarh. The Maoists killed the deceaseds identified as Punem Sannu and
Dhurva Sannu from Pusnar village and Bhusku and Falli from Metapal village after
they were ‘sentenced to death by a jan adalat’ (Kangaroo court of Maoists) on
accusations of being police informers. And the rest 16 captive villagers were beaten
before being released.430
On 11 September 2020, Rathram Patel (49 years), a forest ranger, was killed by the
suspected Maoists at Kondronji village in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. Patel had
gone to the village along with two forest guards to pay wages to villagers for road
construction work in the forest area when they were attacked with sharp weapons.
The two forest guards managed to escape.431
On 21 September 2020, suspected Maoists allegedly killed a villager by attacking him

with rods and sharp-edged weapons in Putkel village of Basaguda village in Usur
Tehsil of Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh branding him a police informer. The blood-
smeared body of the deceased identified as Dasar Ramanna (34 years) was found
close to his house and a leaflet was found from the spot that indicated that Maoists
from Gangaloor area committee executed the deceased.432
On 23 September 2020, four civilians were tortured to death after their abduction
from Kurcheli village under Gangalur police station in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
The suspected Maoists killed them in front of hundreds of people accusing them as
police informers.433

430. Chhattisgarh: Maoists kill four villagers, beat up others, The Times of India, 5 September
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-maoists-kill-four-
villagers-beat-up-others/articleshowprint/77951470.cms
431. Forest ranger hacked to death by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, Hindustan
Times, 12 September 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/forest-ranger-
hacked-to-death-by-maoists-in-chhattisgarh-s-bijapur-district/story-
5R3aumudj1tea3dIUABTFM.html
432 . Chhattisgarh: Maoists on killing spree in Bijapur, a dozen civilians and jawans killed in a
month, The Times of India, 23 September 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-maoists-on-killing-spree-in-
bijapur-a-dozen-civilians-and-jawans-killed-in-a-month/articleshowprint/78260950.cms
433. 4 Killed By Maoists After Abduction Near Malkangiri Border Of Odisha, Kalinga TV, 23
September 2020, https://kalingatv.com/state/4-killed-by-maoists-after-abduction-near-
malkangiri-border-of-odisha/
Page 140 of 188


On 30 September 2020, a group of suspected Maoists murdered Gopal Kudiyam (40
years), a ward representative and dumped his body infront of his home at Gongla
village in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.434
On 30 September 2020, a group of 15-20 Maoists armed with weapons, axe and
bows-arrows hacked to death Bharatiya Janata Party worker and former deputy
sarpanch Dhaniram Korsa (45 years) in his courtyard in the interior village of Bardela
in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.435
On 21 October 2020, Dasu Khemudu was killed and two others identified as Sana
Santa and Samru Khila were tortured by the suspected Maoists at Khajuriguda
village in Malkangiri district, Odisha. The Maoists had slit the throat of Dasu
Khemudu and the two others sustained critical injuries following the torture. The
victims were accused as police informers.436
On 25 October 2020, Nayakulapu Eshwar of Mallampalli village in Mulugu district of

Telangana was tortured to death by the Maoists on the charge of being a police
informer in Cherla mandal in Kothagudem district. On the other hand, the police
claimed that Eshwar worked as courier for the Maoists.437
On 21 November 2020, Mukesh Giri (40 years), a coal trader was killed after being
tortured by Maoists when he was offering prayers at Sinpur Chhath Ghat under
Pathalgadda police station in Chatra district, Jharkhand. He was accused as a police
informer.438
In December 2020, Manu Goleri of Sanyasiguda village under Jantri panchayat in

Malkangiri district, Odisha was tortured by Maoists at a ‘praja court’. Manu Goleri
was accused as police informer. Thereafter Manu and his family members

434. Chhattisgarh: Armed Maoists kill two more villagers in Bijapur, The Times of India, 1
October 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-armed-
maoists-kill-two-more-villagers-in-bijapur/articleshowprint/78433884.cms
435. Chhattisgarh: Armed Maoists kill two more villagers in Bijapur, The Times of India, 1
October 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/chhattisgarh-armed-
maoists-kill-two-more-villagers-in-bijapur/articleshowprint/78433884.cms
436. Extremists kill villager in Odisha, The Hindu, 22 October 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/extremists-kill-villager-in-
odisha/article32913268.ece
437. Maoists kill their own courier in Kothagudem, Telengana Today, 26 October 2020,
https://telanganatoday.com/maoists-kill-their-own-courier-in-kothagudem
438. Maoists kill ‘cop informer’ at Chhath ghat, The Times of India, 22 November 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/maoists-kill-cop-informer-at-chhath-
ghat/articleshowprint/79344526.cms
Page 141 of 188


comprising two minor sons, wife Mala Galari and daughter Baidehi Galari were driven
out of the village.439
In December 2020, two tribals identified as Chikkudu Sateesh and Gemmeli Krishna
Rao were killed by suspected Maoists in Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh. A
‘praja court’’ sentenced them to death on the charges of being police informers.
Chikkudu Sateesh was killed on 24 December, while Gemmeli Krishna Rao was killed
on 14 December.440
8. TORTURE BY OTHER NON-STATE ACTORS (UPPER CASTES)
The latest annual report “Crime in India” published by the National Crime Records
Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India recorded 45,935 crimes
against Scheduled Caste or Dalits during 2019. Of the total crimes recorded during
2019, 41,793 were registered under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act read with the Indian Penal Code while 4,129 crimes
under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act only.441
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) recorded a total of 8,257
crimes/atrocities in 2019.442 Of the total 8,257 crimes/atrocities committed against
the STs during 2019, 7,815 crimes/atrocities were registered under the Scheduled
Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act while 439 cases were registered
under only the PoA.443
During 2020, the Dailts were killed, attacked, tortured, and subjected to other forms
of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by the members of the
upper castes, among others, land dispute, riding a horse; demanding wages,
touching food or other items belonging to the upper castes, refusal to withdraw
cases, fetching water from common sources of water; entering religious places;

439. Maoists target locals ‘for informing police’ in Malkangiri, Orissa Post, 24 December
2020, https://www.orissapost.com/maoists-target-locals-for-informing-police-in-
malkangiri/
440. Maoists kill another tribal in Visakhapatnam, The New Indian Express, 24 December
2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/dec/24/maoists-
kill-another-tribal-in-visakhapatnam-2240467.html
441. NCRB’s “Crime in India” 2019;
442. Nation Crime Records Bureau’s “Crime in India 2019”; TABLE 7C.1 - Crime/Atrocities
against Scheduled Tribes (STs) – 2017-2019: available at:
443. Nation Crime Records Bureau’s “Crime in India 2019”; available at:
Page 142 of 188


refusal to serve/work for upper castes; objecting to casteist remarks/slurs; or on
mere suspicion of theft.
Some of the emblematic cases are highlighted below:
8.1. Killings
On 14 January 2020, Dhaniram Ahirwar, a Dalit, was attacked and burnt by a mob
after a dispute over some issues in Dharmashree area under Motinagar police station
in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The victim suffered 60% burn injuries. The police
registered a case including under the SC/ST Act against some accused identified as
Chuttu, Azzu Pathan, Kallu and Irfan. The Dalit man succumbed to his injuries on 23
January 2020.444
On 12 February 2020, 24-year-old Sakthivel, a Dalit, was beaten to death by a mob
for defecating in an open field in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. The mob tied up
the Dalit’s hands and legs before subjecting him to brutal beating. In a police
complaint, the deceased’s sister alleged that the attack was a result of caste-based
discrimination.445
On 6 June 2020, Dalits identified as Kishan Lal (52 years) and his mentally
challenged son Rajesh were killed by non-SC/ST neighbours at Hanuman Nagar
locality in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased’s daughter Gudiya (27
years) claimed that her father Kishan Lal and her mentally challenged brother Rajesh
were beaten to death by non-SC/ST neighbours in connection with a property
dispute in Moradabad’s Hanuman Nagar locality. A group of around 10-15 people
barged into the deceased’s house and attacked the family members. Kishan Lal who
was unwell and his disabled son Rajesh were repeatedly hit with bricks, killing them
on the spot.446
On 6 June 2020, a 17-year-old Dalit boy indentified as Vikas Kumar Jatav, S/o Om
Prakash Jatav was beaten to death by the upper caste youths at Domkhera village in
Amroha district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased’s father Om Prakash Jatav claimed
that on 1 June 2020 his son Vikas Kumar Jatav was first beaten up by four youths
belonging to affluent Upper Caste community for defying their objections against
entering into the local Temple at his village Domkhera. The incident took place when
the deceased went to pray at a local temple and the upper caste people tried to stop

444. D Madhya Pradesh: Dalit man burnt alive by Muslim men dies in Delhi hospital, OpIndia,
23 January 2020, https://www.opindia.com/2020/01/madhya-pradesh-sagar-dalit-man-
burnt-alive-dies-muslims-safdarjung-delhi/
445. Tamil Nadu: Dalit man beaten to death for defecating in open field, DNA, 16 February
2020, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tamil-nadu-dalit-man-beaten-to-death-
for-defecating-in-open-field-2813956
446. NHRC Case No. 13241/24/56/2020
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him from entering into temple. Thereafter, on 6 June 2020 night three youths, one
of them identified as Horam Chauhan, arrived at the deceased’s home and dragged
Vikas Kumar Jatav out from his house and allegedly shot him death on the spot.447
On 15 September 2020, 70-year-old Dalit man identified as Shavran Jatav was burnt
alive by two persons belonging to a dominant community at a village in Bhind district
of Madhya Pradesh. In his dying statement to police, Jatav stated that he was in his
field when the two accused poured petrol on him and set him on fire in connection
with a land dispute.448
On 25 October 2020, Kamalkishore (22 years), a Dalit working as a salesman at a
liquor shop, was allegedly burnt alive at Kampur village in Alwar district of
Rajasthan. The deceased’s brother Roop Singh in a police complaint stated that his
brother was burnt to death when he demanded his salary dues for five months from
liquor contractors identified as Subhash and Rakesh Yadav.449
On 29 October 2020, Arjun Kori (50 years), husband of a Dalit village panchayat
chief Chotka Devi, died after he was allegedly beaten up and set on fire by people
belonging to upper caste at Bandoiya village in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh. The
deceased’s wife stated that the accused identified as Tiwari and his goons were
forcing her and her husband to give him kickbacks from the village development
fund. On 29 October, Arjun Kori was called for a discussion where he was allegedly
beaten up and set on fire.450
On 6 November 2020, a 32-year-old tribal identified as Vijay Sahariya was allegedly
burnt alive by a farmer in Guna in Madhya Pradesh because he had not repaid Rs
5,000 borrowed during the Covid-19 lockdown. The victim died in hospital the
following day. Reportedly, a relative recorded his statement on mobile phone just
before he died. The Sahariyas are listed as a vulnerable tribal group. Guna SP Rajesh
Kumar Singh said Vijay had borrowed some money from a farmer named
Radheshyam Lodha of Ukawad Khurd, who was pressuring him to return it.451

447. NHRC Case No. 10060/24/41/2020
448. See Navbharattimes, 16 September 2020 at
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/madhya-pradesh/bhind/dalit-burnt-alive-in-
mp-70-year-old-dalit-burnt-alive-by-pouring-petrol-in-
bhind/articleshow/78146156.cms
449. Dalit Liquor Vend Salesman Allegedly Burnt Alive in Rajasthan's Alwar Over Salary Dues,
News18, 26 October 2020, https://www.news18.com/news/india/dalit-liquor-vend-
salesman-allegedly-burnt-alive-in-rajasthans-alwar-over-salary-dues-3008438.html
450. Dalit beaten up, burnt alive in Amethi, The Telegraph, 31 October 2020,
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/dalit-beaten-up-burnt-alive-in-
amethi/cid/1796074
451. Tribal burned alive for failing to repay Rs 5,000 lockdown loan in Madhya Pradesh, The
Times of India, 8 November 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/tribal-
Page 144 of 188


On 30 November 2020, Lalji Ram Ahirwar (50 years), a Dalit, was beaten to death
by two persons identified as Yash Yadav and Ankesh Yadav at Karod village in Guna
district of Madhya Pradesh. The victim, a farm worker, was resting in an agriculture
field, when the two accused persons approached him and demanded a matchbox.
When Lalji Ram declined, he was beaten to death.452
On 7 December 2020, 25-year-old Dalit youth identified as Devraj Anuragi was
beaten to death by two persons at Kishanpur village in Chhatarpur district of Madhya
Pradesh. The victim was a Dalit and resident of Kishanpur village in the district. On 7
December 2020, the victim was called by two accused persons identified as Bhoora
Soni and Santosh Pal to clean up after a party in the village. The two accused got
angry when they noticed Devraj Anuragi (the victim) touching the food and they
started beating him with sticks due to which the victim died.453
8.2. Torture, degrading and humiliating treatment
On 16 February 2020, two Dalit men were tortured at Karnu village in Nagaur
district, Rajasthan. The victims were accused of stealing money at a vehicle service
centre. In a video widely shared online, a group of men were seen brutally beating
up the victims. One of the attackers dipped a screwdriver in a bottle of petrol and
inserted it into the rectum of one of the victims.454
On 16 February 2020, the wedding procession of a Dalit groom identified as Akash
Kotdia (27 years) had to be taken out under police protection after objections from
upper caste community members at Sandipada village in Banaskantha district,
Gujarat. The upper caste members had pelted stones at the procession as the
groom, an Army personnel posted in Jammu & Kashmir, for sitting on a horse
belonging to a man from the upper caste Thakor community.
On 4 June 2020, three persons, two Dalits and one OBC, were beaten, their heads
shaved and paraded with shoes hung around their neck allegedly by upper caste
persons for stealing a fan at Barauli Khalilabad village in Lucknow district, Uttar

burned-alive-for-failing-to-repay-rs-5000-lockdown-loan-in-madhya-
pradesh/articleshowprint/79107329.cms
452. NHRC Case No. 2629/12/17/2020
454. Kursi chhod do: After torture of 2 Dalit men in Nagaur, the politics begins, India Today,
21 February 2020, https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/nagaur-attack-on-dalits-
congress-bjp-chandrashakhar-azad-1648555-2020-02-21
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Pradesh. According to police, the victims were allegedly caught stealing a fan from a
house of a 'Brahmin man'.455
On 15 July 2020, a 14-year-old minor Dalit boy, son of Krishnamoorthy was allegedly
subjected to torture and degrading treatment by an upper caste land owner
identified as K. Rajashekhar at Kodarampatti village under Pennagaram police station
in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. The minor boy, a resident of Kodarampatti
village in the district, was beaten and forced to eat the faeces and carry it his hands
after the accused saw the victime relieving himself in a field. The victim stated that
K. Rajashekhar “called him by caste names” and then started beating him and asked
him to eat the faeces and carry it in his hand. A witness of the incident and a
resident of the village identified as Veerabadran also stated that K. Rajashekhar
yelled caste names and beaten the boy.456
On 17 July 2020, a Dalit youth identified as Dharmendra Valmiki (25 years) was
brutally beaten up by a group of upper caste people at Old Galla Mandi in Guna
district of Madhya Pradesh. The victim, a resident of Mahoogarha in the district, was
subjected to beatings on suspicion of theft. Unable to bear the pain, the victim
became unconscious. However, the attackers not satisfied with the beating, tied a
towel around his neck and dragged him around the market. Later, the police filed a
case against the Dalit victim for theft but no action was taken against the
attackers.457
On 18 July 2020, a 32-year-old Dalit man and his family members were tortured by
a group of upper caste people at Talikote city in Vijayapura district of Karnataka. The
32-year-old victim, a resident of Minaji village in the district, was stripped and
beaten along with his family members by 13 upper caste persons after he
accidentally touched the bike of a man who belonged to a so-called upper caste
community. They were beaten in full public view as they belonged to a Dalit
community.458
On 28 July 2020, two Dalits identified as Parmanand Kumar Das and Shankar Kumar
Das (25 years) were subjected to torture by upper caste people at Ghaghardiha
village under Muffassil Police Station in Giridih district of Jharkhand. The victims
were allegedly tied to a tree, made to lick spit and beaten by a group of villagers
belonging to Yadav community. The Yadavs accused the victims of killing their goat.

455. Dalit Men Beaten, Paraded With Shoes Hung Around Their Neck in UP, The Quint, 11 June
2020, https://www.thequint.com/news/india/dalit-men-beaten-paraded-with-shoes-
hung-around-their-neck-in-up
456. NHRC Case No. 7122/22/6/2020
458. NHRC Case No. 404/10/35/2020
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The victims were released only after paying a fine of Rs 60,000 for allegedly killing
the goat.459
On 30 July 2020, a 35-year-old Dalit man was tortured by some upper caste people
at Barmer district of Rajasthan. The victim, a resident of Barmer district, was tied to
a tree and forced to drink urine from a bottle by some upper caste people. The
accused upper caste men also tonsured the head of the victim to further humiliate
him.460
On 17 August 2020, three Dalit men identified as Girdharilal Meghwal (32 years),
Bheru (19 years) and Ghanshyam (28 years) were tortured by upper caste-people
under Nalkheda police station in Agar Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh. The victims,
residents of Kajlas village in Bhopal district, were brutally beaten up by four upper
caste men on suspicion of theft of an irrigation water pump. One of the victims,
Girdharilal Meghwal in a police complaint at the Nalkheda police station stated that
he and other two Dalits were beaten with rods and pipes mercilessly by the four
upper-caste persons identified as Suraj Singh Yadav, Lal Singh Yadav, Bagdu Yadav
and Sanju Yadav at a house first and later in public view. The complainant,
Girdharilal Meghwal alleged that they were freed on the condition that they would
pay Rs 31,000 for the stolen pump within eight days.461
On 9 October 2020, a 24-year-old Dalit man identified as Bhavesh Makwana was
tortured by three non-Dalit persons at Ruda Transport Nagar locality in Rajkot
district of Gujarat. The victim, a rickshaw driver and resident of Sanosara village
under Bhavnagar district, alleged that he was brutally attacked and beaten up by
three persons while he was transporting a cow carcass in his rickshaw. He stated
that he was carrying cow carcass for disposal as he needed money. He stated that
the cow had been lying dead for the past two days in Ruda Transport Nagar and
that one Dharmesh Parmar from Sakheda village had asked him to take it away in
his rickshaw carriage.462
On 13 October 2020, a 65-year-old Dalit man was forced by an upper caste person
identified as Sonu Yadav at Roda village under kotwali police station in Lalitpur
district of Uttar Pradesh. The victim, a resident of the same, was forced by the
accused to drink his urine filled in a cup and brutally beat up the old man when
refused. The old man was meted out the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment

459. NHRC Case No. 776/34/8/2020
460. NHRC Case No. 1577/20/4/2020
461. NHRC Case No. 1771/12/8/2020
462. NHRC Case No. 980/6/21/2020
Page 147 of 188


because the victim’s family refused to withdraw a complaint filed with the police
against the perpetrator for assaulting the victim and his son a week earlier.463
On 21 November 2020, two Dalit brothers identified as Santram Dohare and
Sandeep Dohare were mercilessly beaten up and their hut burnt down by members
of upper caste Yadav family in Datia district of Madhya Pradesh. The victims had
allegedly refused to withdraw a two-year-old police case. The accused were
identified as Pavan Yadav, Kallu Yadav, their four relatives and a neighbour.464
On 25 December 2020, a Dalit man identified as Ramchandra Raidas (45 years) was
reportedly attacked with sticks allegedly by people who objected to his using a
government-installed handpump when he went to take water from the handpump in
Tendura village, in Banda district Uttar Pradesh. In an FIR lodged at the Bisanda
police station, the victim has alleged that family members of Ram Dayal Yadav
attacked him with sticks when he went to take water from the handpump. Raidas
sustained injuries in the attack and was admitted to a primary health centre. Raidas
had also alleged that two months earlier, the accused had banned them from taking
water from the handpump installed in the locality of the Yadavs, but the matter was
resolved following an intervention by the sub-divisional magistrate of Atarra.465
8.3. Sexual violence
Dalit and tribal women and girls remain extremely vulnerable to sexual violence. The
2019 NCRB Annual Report also shows that the Dalit and tribal women and girls were
targeted for sexual violence, mainly rape. According to NCRB, 3,486 rapes cases
were reported against Dalit women and 1,117 cases of rape of Dalit children were
reported in 2019.466 While the NCRB recorded 1,110 crimes of rape/gang rape
involving 1,113 tribal women and girls in 2019.467

463. 65-Year-Old Dalit Man Beaten Up & Forced to Drink Urine in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur,
One Arrested, India.com, 13 October 2020; https://www.india.com/news/india/dalit-man-
65-beaten-up-forced-to-drink-urine-in-uttar-pradeshs-lalitpur-1-arrested-4171977/
464. Dalit Brothers Beaten, House Set Ablaze For Not Withdrawing Police Case, NDTV, 22
November 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-dalit-brothers-
beaten-house-set-ablaze-for-not-withdrawing-police-case-2328702
465. Dalit man attacked in UP’s Banda for using water from common handpump, The
Hindustan Times, 25 December 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/dalit-
man-attacked-in-up-s-banda-for-using-water-from-common-handpump/story-
yxun2DQGr1G22VQHu9Xe1H.html
466. NCRB’s “Crime in India” 2019;
467. NCRB Annual Report for 2019: TABLE 7C.2: Crime/Atrocities against Scheduled Tribe(s)
(Crime Head & State/UT-wise)- 2019; available at:
Page 148 of 188


Some of the emblematic cases sexual violence against Dalit and tribal women and
girls documented by NCAT in 2020 are given below:
In June-July 2020, a 16-year-old minor girl belonging to Dalit community was gang
raped by 10 upper caste men at a house in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
The 16-year-old victim, a resident of Rajahmundry city under East Godavari district,
was allegedly drugged and repeatedly raped by the 10 accused during her
confinement at a house from 23 June to 15 July 2020. On 23 June 2020, the victim
was taken away by a woman along with seven persons on the pretext of providing
employment at a shop. Instead, the victim was taken to the house where she was
drugged and repeatedly gang raped. The minor girl managed to escape on 15 July
2020.468
On 14 September 2020, a 20-year-old Dalit girl was gang-raped by four upper caste
men at a village in Hathras district, Uttar Pradesh. The victim died in a Delhi hospital
after fighting for her life for two weeks. After her death, the victim’s body was
forcibly cremated by the police without the consent of her family. On 18 December
2020, three months after the incident, the Central Bureau of Investigation submitted
its charge sheet in the case confirming that the Dalit victim was gang raped and
tortured by the four accused men from the dominant Thakur community, eventually
leading to her death. The CBI charged the four accused with gang rape and murder
including under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The CBI investigation was
monitored by the Allahabad High Court on the directions of the Supreme Court.469
On 30 September 2020, a 22-year-old Dalit woman died after she was gang-raped
by two youths at a village in Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident took
place a day before when the girl had gone to take admission in a college near her
village but did not return home till late evening. The victim later returned on a
rickshaw with glucose drip inserted in her hand while family members were
searching for her. The family members admitted her to a hospital, where she
succumbed to her injuries. The family alleged that the girl’s hands and legs were
fractured. Police arrested both the accused.470
On 10 October 2020, a 35-year-old Dalit woman was gangraped by at least seven
persons at a village under Murar police station in Buxar district, Bihar. Following the
sexual violence, the accused threw the victim and her five-year-old son in a canal,

468. NHRC Case No.1492/1/5/2020
469. H CBI Says Hathras Victim Was Gang-Raped, Killed, NDTV, 18 December 2020,
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hathras-case-four-charged-for-gang-rape-and-
murder-says-lawyer-of-accused-2340431
470. Dalit woman gang-raped in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur dies; two arrested, Hindustan
Times, 1 October 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/another-dalit-
woman-gang-raped-dies-in-uttar-pradesh-s-balrampur/story-
FtusJgBsVM54oKr2u4YMoL.html
Page 149 of 188


resusting in the death of the child. The state government constituted a Special
Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into the case.471
On 13 October 2020, a 15-year-old Dalit minor girl committed suicide following
gang-rape at Manikpur area in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh. The deceased’s
family members alleged that the minor girl was gang raped by three persons on 8
October 2020 after which she committed suicide by hanging herself at her house on
13 October 2020. The family members alleged that the deceased ended her life as
her complaint was not registered by the local police.472
On 21 October 2020, a six-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly raped and burnt alive at a
village in Tanda in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. The victim’s father, a migrant
labourer from Bihar, filed a police complaint against two upper caste men identified
as Surpreet Singh and Surjit Singh for the rape and murder. The Punjab State
Scheduled Castes Commission intervened into the matter and directed the police to
take prompt action against the accused.473
On 4 November 2020, a 32-year-old tribal woman was allegedly raped and murdered
by three non-SC/ST persons identified as Vaditya Madhu Nayak, Talluri Kutumba
Reddy and Chindam Nandu in Kollur near RC Puram of Hyderabad district of
Telangana. The victim, a resident of Kollur Thanda under RC Puram police station in
Hyderabad district of Telangana, was abducted by three persons on 3 November
2020 from her mother’s home in Miyapur, outskirts of Hyderabad. The accused
persons allegedly gang-raped and killed her in an isolated location in Kollur near RC
Puram.474
In the intervening night of 13 November 2020, two tribal girls from Tripura were
reportedly gang raped by five persons identified as Abu Bakkar, Amir Ali, Sumon Ali,
Samsul Uddin and Anowar Hussain at Nilambazar area under Karimganj district of
Assam. The victims had hired a taxi from Silchar to return home after visiting their
ailing mother, who was undergoing treatment at the Cachar Cancer Hospital and
Research Centre in Silchar. During the journey the driver told the girls that he would
take a shortcut to reach Dharmanagar in Tripura. However, he took the car to an
under-construction building in Baraingram area of Nilambazar under Karimganj

471. Special Investigation Team constituted to probe Buxar gang-rape and murder case,
Hindustan Times, 13 October 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/special-
investigation-team-constituted-to-probe-buxar-gang-rape-and-murder-case/story-
Z4LwbPk3CkIVxmWK1q48kL.html
472. NHRC Case No. 20959/24/20/2020
473. Punjab Cops Recover Body Of 6-Year-Old Girl, Allegedly Raped, Burnt Alive, NDTV, 22
October 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/punjab-cops-recover-body-of-6-year-
old-girl-allegedly-raped-burnt-alive-2314379
474. NHRC compliant filed by Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI) dated 19
November 2020.
Page 150 of 188


district, where four other men were already present and they took turns to rape the
victims.475
On 30 November 2020, a 15-year-old Adivasi girl was gang-raped by five men in
Karra police station in Khunti district of Jharkhand. The minor was returning from a
local fair when the incident took place. According to the police, a seven-member SIT
team under Torpa Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) was formed to carry out raids
to trace the culprits and a case under relevant sections of POCSO Act was lodged. 476
On 1 December 2020, the Orissa High Court set a 20-day deadline for the State
government to submit a status report on the alleged gang rape and murder of a 36-
year-old tribal woman at Malkangiri town. The court heard the petition filed by
Budura Gauda, husband of the deceased woman. The victim worked as a domestic
help at the Malkangiri Police Canteen and was allegedly raped on 7 May 2020.
Budura was informed by the canteen’s owner BBC Das that his wife was ill and
needed to be shifted to a hospital. While she was admitted to the hospital, Budura
lodged a police complaint on 9 May. The victim succumbed at Rayagada in an
ambulance while she was being shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at
Berhampur from the Koraput district headquarters hospital. In his petition, Budura
alleged that the police had performed cremation of the body without seeking
permission from him or his family members. He was given Rs 12,000 by the police
for conducting the death rituals. The postmortem report indicated injuries in her
private parts and primary cause of death was hypovolemic shock (a life-threatening
condition that results when one loses more than 20 percent of body blood or fluid
supply). The report had stated that the death may be homicidal in nature.477
9. JUDICIAL INTERVENTIONS AGAINST TORTURE
The judiciary continued to intervene to set the standards for the prevention of
torture, award compensation and punish the culprits where permission for the
prosecution was given by the government as cited below.

475. NHRC compliant filed by Indigenous Lawyers Association of India (ILAI) dated 16
November 2020.
476. 15-year-old Adivasi girl gang-raped by 5 in Jharkhand village, The Times of India, 2
December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/15-year-old-adivasi-girl-
gang-raped-by-5-in-khunti-village/articleshowprint/79526351.cms
477. Govt gets 20-day deadline to submit report on rape of tribal woman, The New Indian
Express, 2 December 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/dec/02/govt-gets-20-
daydeadline-to-submit-report-on-rape-of-tribal-woman-2230664.html
Page 151 of 188


9.1. Supreme Court ruled confession to officers under the NDPS Act
inadmissible
In a landmark ruling on 29 October 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that officers of
the Central and State agencies appointed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances (NDPS) Act are police officers for legal purposes and that confessional
statements taken from suspect by them under Section 67 are not admissible.
Effectively, an accused under the NDPS Act will be subjected to the safeguards in
the Evidence Act and the Criminal Procedure Code. The majority ruling was
pronounced by Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Navin Sinha, while Justice Indira
Banerjee gave a dissenting opinion in the case. The Court was hearing a set of
Appeals and Special Leave Petitions arising by virtue of a reference order of a
Division Bench of the Supreme Court in Toofan Singh vs State of Tamil Nadu. The
Court mainly considered two issues, namely:478
1. Whether an officer “empowered under Section 42 of the NDPS Act” and/or “the
officer empowered under Section 53 of the NDPS Act” are “Police Officers” and
therefore statements recorded by such officers would be hit by Section 25 of the
Evidence Act; and
2. What is the extent, nature, purpose and scope of the power conferred under
Section 67 of the NDPS Act available to and exercisable by an officer under section
42 thereof, and whether power under Section 67 is a power to record confession
capable of being used as substantive evidence to convict an accused?”479
The Bench, after hearing the parties, answered the issues by stating:
(i) That the officers who are invested with powers under section 53 of the NDPS Act
are “police officers” within the meaning of section 25 of the Evidence Act, as a result
of which any confessional statement made to them would be barred under the
provisions of section 25 of the Evidence Act, and cannot be taken into account in
order to convict an accused under the NDPS Act.
(ii) That a statement recorded under section 67 of the NDPS Act cannot be used as a
confessional statement in the trial of an offence under the NDPS Act.480

nt_29-Oct-2020.pdf
479. Para 3 of judgment dated 29 October 2020, available at
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/143202244/
480. Para 155 of judgment dated 29 October 2020, available at
https://indiankanoon.org/doc/143202244/
Page 152 of 188


Thus, the Supreme Court settled a long-pending question of law on whether
statements recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act can be admissible as
confessional statements in criminal trials. Past judgments ruled that statements
recorded by officers under the NDPS Act cannot be treated as confessions. This
ruling, therefore, will impact evidence in several cases, specially the alleged drugs
cases being investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and will act as a
safeguard against forced and coerced confessions obtained during custodial
interrogation, often through torture and third degree methods.481
Section 42 of the NDPS Act provides powers to an authorised officer of the Central
government or a state government, superior to the rank of a “peon, sepoy or a
constable” to enter premises, search it, seize evidence and arrest persons who may
have committed an offence under the Act. This officer can also record statements.
Additionally, Section 53 allows the Centre and states through a notification in the
official gazette to bestow on officials powers equal to an OC of a police station.
Therefore, till now, a statement obtained by the authorised officer from an accused
became a confessional statement fully admissible in court. This was because the
legal assumption was that such an officer under the NDPS Act was not a “police
officer” and not bound by the restrictions placed on police officers under Section 25
of the Evidence Act.
Under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code, when a police officer records a
statement only that part of the statement that leads to the discovery of a new fact
unknown to the officer at the time of recording the statement would be allowed to
be used in trial. This is a crucial safeguard provided through the Evidence Act to
protect the constitutional right of citizen against self-incrimination, given that the
police are known to use illegal techniques to obtain confessions.
The Supreme Court by majority held that the provisions that led to confession
statements under the NDPS Act being admissible as evidence violated three key
fundamental rights under the Constitution: Article 14, which provides equality before
the law; Article 20 (3), which gives a citizen the right against self-incrimination; and
Article 21, which provides right to life, dignity and privacy.482
The court also made a special mention of the right to privacy as it read down the
provisions relating to confessional statements. In Para 27 of the judgment, the Court
stated as follows:483
“The NDPS Act is to be construed in the backdrop of Article 20(3) and Article 21,
Parliament being aware of the fundamental rights of the citizen and the judgments
of this Court interpreting them, as a result of which a delicate balance is maintained

nt_29-Oct-2020.pdf
482. Ibid
483. Ibid
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between the power of the State to maintain law and order, and the fundamental
rights chapter which protects the liberty of the individual. Several safeguards are
thus contained in the NDPS Act, which is of an extremely drastic and draconian
nature, as has been contended by the counsel for the Appellants before us. Also, the
fundamental rights contained in Articles 20(3) and 21 are given pride of place in the
Constitution. After the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution was done away with by
the 44th Amendment, it is now provided that even in an Emergency, these rights
cannot be suspended – see Article 359(1). The interpretation of a statute like the
NDPS Act must needs be in conformity and in tune with the spirit of the broad
fundamental right not to incriminate oneself, and the right to privacy, as has been
found in the recent judgments of this Court”.
In Para 68, the judgment said:
“It would be remarkable that if a police officer, properly so-called, were to

“investigate” an offence under the NDPS Act, all the safeguards contained in sections
161 to 164 of the CrPC would be available to the accused, but that if the same police
officer or other designated officer under section 42 were to record confessional
statements under section 67 of the NDPS Act, these safeguards would be thrown to
the winds, as was admitted by Shri Lekhi in the course of his arguments. Even if any
such anomaly were to arise on a strained construction of section 67 as contended
for by Shri Lekhi, the alternative construction suggested by the Appellants, being in
consonance with fundamental rights, alone would prevail, as section 67 would then
have to be “read down” so as to conform to fundamental rights”.484
The Court observed that given the stringent nature of the NDPS Act, several sections
provide safeguards so as to provide a balance between investigation and trial of
offences under the Act, and the fundamental rights of the citizen.485
The Court then noted “that given the stringent provisions of NDPS Act, one has to
keep in mind the fact that severer the punishment, the greater the care taken to see
that the safeguards provided in the statue are scrupulously followed.”486
9.2. Supreme Court ordered installation of CCTV cameras in all

interrogation rooms
In yet another landmark ruling, the Supreme Court in Paramvir Singh Saini vs Baljit
Singh on 2 December 2020 ruled the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations,
and in the offices of any other agency which carries out interrogations and has the
power of arrest across the country. The Court directed that State and UT
Governments should ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in each and every
Police Station functioning in the respective State and/or UT. Further, in order to

484. Ibid
485. Ibid
486. Ibid
Page 154 of 188


ensure that no part of a Police Station is left uncovered, it is imperative to ensure
that CCTV cameras are installed at all entry and exit points; main gate of the police
station; all lock-ups; all corridors; lobby/the reception area; all verandas/outhouses,
Inspector's room; Sub Inspector's room; areas outside the lock-up room; station
hall; in front of the police station compound; outside (not inside) washrooms/toilets;
Duty Officer’s room; back part of the police station etc.487
The Court also directed the Union of India to install CCTV cameras and recording
equipment in the offices of:
(i) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
(ii) National Investigation Agency (NIA)
(iii) Enforcement Directorate (ED)
(iv)Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
(v) Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
(vi)Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO)
(vii) Any other agency which carries out interrogations and has the power of
arrest.
The Court held that as most of these agencies carry out interrogation in their
office(s), CCTVs shall be compulsorily installed in all offices where such interrogation
and holding of accused takes place in the same manner as it would in a police
station.488
CCTV systems that have to be installed must be equipped with night vision and must
necessarily consist of audio as well as video footage. In areas in which there is either
no electricity and/or internet, it shall be the duty of the States/UTs to provide the
same as expeditiously as possible using any mode of providing electricity, including
solar/wind power. The internet systems that are provided must also be systems
which provide clear image resolutions and audio. Most important of all is the storage
of CCTV camera footage which can be done in digital video recorders and/or
network video recorders.
The Court further ordered that CCTV cameras must be installed with such recording
systems that the data is stored thereon shall be preserved for a period of 18
months. If the recording equipment, available in the market does not have the
capacity to keep the recording for 18 months but for a lesser period of time, it shall
be mandatory for all States, UTs and the Central Government to purchase one which
allows storage for the maximum period possible, and, in any case, not below 1 year.
The affidavit of compliance to be filed by all States and UTs and Central Government

487. Para 16 of the Order dated 3 December 2020, available at
nt_02-Dec-2020.pdf
nt_02-Dec-2020.pdf
Page 155 of 188


shall clearly indicate that the best equipment available as of date has been
purchased.489
And, whenever there is information of force being used at police stations resulting in
serious injury and/or custodial deaths, it is necessary that persons be free to
complain for a redressal of the same. Such complaints may not only be made to the
State Human Rights Commission, which is then to utilise its powers, more
particularly under Sections 17 and 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993,
for redressal of such complaints, but also to Human Rights Courts, which must then
be set up in each District of every State/UT under Section 30 of the aforesaid Act.
The Commission/Court can then immediately summon CCTV camera footage in
relation to the incident for its safe keeping, which may then be made available to an
investigation agency in order to further process the complaint made to it.490
Earlier on 03.04.2018, in the case of Shafhi Mohammad vs State of Himachal
Pradesh (2018) 5 SCC 311,491 the SC has directed that a Central Oversight Body
(COB) be set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement the plan of action with
respect to the use of videography in the crime scene during the investigation. The
court considered the directions issued in D.K. Basu Vs. State of West Bengal &
Others (2015) 8 SCC 744, and held that there was a need for further directions that
in every State an oversight mechanism be created whereby an independent
committee can study the CCTV camera footages and periodically publish a report of
its observations thereon. The COB was further directed to issue appropriate
instructions in this regard at the earliest.
In the instant case, the Court in Para 21 observed that nothing substantial has been
done in this regard for a period of over 2½ years since the first Order dated
03.04.2018 and stated:
“Since these directions are in furtherance of the fundamental rights of each citizen of
India guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and since nothing
substantial has been done in this regard for a period of over 2½ years since our first
Order dated 03.04.2018, the Executive/Administrative/police authorities are to
implement this Order both in letter and in spirit as soon as possible. Affidavits will be
filed by the Principal Secretary/Cabinet Secretary/Home Secretary of each State/
Union Territory giving this Court a firm action plan with exact timelines for

489 . Para 17 of the Order dated 3 December 2020, available at
nt_02-Dec-2020.pdf
nt_02-Dec-2020.pdf
491. SLP (Crl) No. 2302 of 2017
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compliance with today’s Order. This is to be done within a period of six weeks from
today”.492
9.3. Judgments Awarding Compensation
Case 1: Bombay High Court awards Rs. 500,000 compensation in custodial

death of minor
On 26 November 2020, the Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court directed the
State government of Maharashtra to pay Rs 500,000 compensation to the father of a
16-year-old boy who died in police custody at Shirdi police station on 31 March
2016. The minor was picked up by police from the Saibaba temple premise on the
suspicion of pick-pocketing. However, when the minor’s father and brother went to
the police station, they were not allowed to see him, and later the police rushed the
body to the hospital where the father was informed that his son was dead. The
father of the minor approached the High Court seeking ex-gratia compensation as
well as an inquiry against the officers responsible for the death of his son.493 “It is
crystal clear that (the boy) died in police lock up…We arrived at the conclusion that
it is a case of custodial death at the hands of police officials of Shirdi police station.
The prayer for ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh needs to be granted to the
unfortunate father/petitioner,” a division bench of Justice Tanaji V Nalawade and
Justice Shrikant D Kulkarni said in its order. The Court further observed “Custodial
violence has always been a matter of great concern for all civilised societies. There
must be a great degree of sensibility amongst police officials with regard to the
persons, who are arrested and kept in custody.”494
Case 2: Patna High Court awards Rs. 500,000 compensation to a truck
driver for illegal detention
On 22 December 2020, Patna High Court awarded Rs. 500,000/- as compensation to
a truck driver who was illegally detained and kept in custody for over 35 days by the
Patna Police. A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S. Kumar observed

492. Para 21 of Judgment, available
nt_29-Oct-2020.pdf
493. Bombay HC directs Maharashtra government to deposit Rs 5 lakh as compensation for
custodial death of minor, The Hindustan times, 13 December 2020,
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/bombay-hc-directs-maharashtra-
government-to-deposit-5-lakh-as-compensation-for-custodial-death-of-minor/story-
U1bhYW2x6LzdaQlRugw4MK.html
494. Bombay HC grants Rs 5 lakh to father for custodial death of minor caught for pick-
pocketing, The Indian Express, 14 December 2020,
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bombay-hc-grants-rs-5-lakh-to-father-for-
custodial-death-of-minor-caught-for-pick-pocketing-7103739/
Page 157 of 188


that the Police authorities in this case had acted in clear violation of the procedure
established by law, in as much as the vehicle and the detenue were detained and
kept in police custody for more than 35 days, without either filing an FIR or following
any other procedure of arrest prescribed in law, ensuring constitutional protections
to all persons. It held that the authorities had acted in direct violation of detenue's
fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 22 of the Constitution and accordingly
ordered the payment of Rs. 500,000 as compensation. The petition was filed by the
Truck owner alleging that the police illegally detained his vehicle (milk tanker) along
with its driver, Jitendra Kumar without lodging of any FIR and/or following the
appropriate procedures of recording the detention of the individual or impounding
the vehicle, rendering the seizure unlawful and detention illegal.495
9.4. Judgments awarding punishments
Case 1: Five policemen sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment for

custodial torture in Punjab
On 7 January 2020, five policemen including an Inspector identified as Sukhbir Singh

were reportedly sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment by a local court in
Khamano in Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab in a case involving torture and
framing of three youths. As per complainant Buta Singh, a resident of Manderan
village, his two sons Sukhdev Singh and Harpreet Singh and another youth of the
village Satnam Singh, who were working as labourers, were going to work in the
morning on 1 December 2011. When they reached near Khamano main chowk, they
were stopped by a police team, led by ASI Manohar Singh and taken to Khamano
police station where they were subjected to torture by policemen, including Sukhbir
Singh, the then Additional SHO at Khamano police station. A false case was
registered against them. After spending some days in jail, the three filed a complaint
in the court. The victims were acquitted and the court found the five policemen
guilty under Section 323 of the IPC and awarded one-year rigorous imprisonment
along with a fine of Rs 1,000 each.496
Case 2: Six Punjab Police personnel convicted for killing Baba Charan
Singh and five family members after abduction
On 9 January 2020, a Mohali court convicted six Punjab Police personnel for the
murder of Baba Charan Singh, and five other relatives, including nephew Balwinder
Singh, who was a constable with Punjab Police, and his father, Gurmej Singh after
they were abducted by the police from different places in April 1993 and later shown
to have escaped from custody. Those convicted are inspector Suba Singh, assistant

495. Truck Driver Illegally Detained By Police: Patna High Court Asks Govt To Give 5L
Compensation For Violation Of Fundamental Right, Live Law, 23 December 2020,
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/patna-high-court-5-lakh-compensation-truck-
drivers-police-excess-illegal-detention-fundamental-rights-article-21-167568
Page 158 of 188


sub inspector (ASI) Sauba Singh, head constable Lakha Singh, and sub inspectors
(SI) Bikramjit Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Sukdev Raj Joshi. The case was transferred
to the CBI in 1997 after Surjit Kaur, the wife of Baba Charan Singh, moved the
Punjab and Haryana high court. CBI investigations concluded that Baba Charan
Singh and his three brothers, Meja Singh, Kesar Singh, Gurdev Singh, besides his
brother-in-law Gurmej Singh and his son Balwinder Singh were abducted from
different places and after illegal detention, false cases were registered against them.
Later, they were shown as killed during their bid to escape from custody. Baba
Charan Singh was in-charge of kar seva (voluntary service) at 35 gurdwaras in
Punjab. His responsibilities included maintenance and construction at these
gurdwaras.497
Case 3: Orissa HC orders former Police officers to serve jail in custodial

death case
On 9 November 2020, the Orissa High Court directed two septuagenarian ex-police
officers to surrender and serve imprisonment, 32 years after granting bail on
criminal appeal filed by them against their conviction in a custodial death case.
Pravat Chandra Mohanty (76 years) and PK Choudhury (75 years) were inspector
and senior sub-inspector respectively when the custodial death occurred during
illegal confinement of a person at the Purighat police station in Cuttack in 1985. On
29 August 1988, the court of Assistant Sessions Judge-cum-Additional Chief Judicial
Magistrate (Special), Cuttack had convicted Mohanty and Choudhury for culpable
homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced them to rigorous imprisonment
for five years and eight years respectively. They were also sentenced to a maximum
sentence of three years rigorous imprisonment for fraudulent preparation of FIR,
wrongful confinement and voluntarily causing hurt. Both had filed criminal appeals in
the High Court and were released on bail by 1 September 1988. While disposing of
their appeals after 32 years, the Single Judge Bench of Justice SK Sahoo acquitted
both the police officers of charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder
and reduced the maximum sentence of three years rigorous imprisonment to one
year simple imprisonment for other charges, taking their age into consideration. The
High Court in its judgment stated “Their bail bonds shall stand cancelled and they
are directed to surrender before the trial court within two weeks from today for
undergoing the remaining period of sentence”. The court also directed the State
government to pay compensation of Rs. 3,00,000 in favour of the legal
representative(s) of the deceased within a period of one month.498

498. Three decades after granting bail, Orissa High Court asks former cops to serve jail, The
New Indian Express, 10 November 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/nov/10/three-decades-after-
granting-bail-orissa-high-court-asks-former-cops-to-serve-jail-2221791.html
Page 159 of 188


9.5. DIRECTIONS FOR PROBE BY INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Case 1: Gujarat High Court transfers custodial death case to CID for
investigation
On 5 August 2020, the Gujarat High Court ordered transfer of the custodial death
case of Babu Sheikh Nisar (65 years) from police to the Crime Investigation
Department. The deceased, a resident of Telangana, allegedly died at Fatehgunj
police station in Vadodara district, Gujarat. In July 2020, the police booked six police
personnel for allegedly killing the deceased in custody. The deceased had reportedly
gone missing on 10 December 2019, after he was arrested by police on suspicion of
theft. While the six police personnel are, according to the police, absconding, one of
them - Police Inspector DB Gohil - had filed a petition before the high court, seeking
to quash the FIR against them on the grounds that the police is yet to ascertain if
the said victim is “indeed dead”. The division bench of Justices Sonia Gokani and NV
Anjaria, during a hearing on 5 August had also directed that the investigation must
be carried out by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police and be
supervised by an officer of the rank of Deputy Inspector General. The court also
remarked that the mere act of the Vadodara police agreeing to add IPC Section 302
(culpable homicide amounting to murder) upon the court’s insistence, is “not
sufficient discharge of duty” by the said investigating officer. Further, the court
observed, “The court cannot be oblivious of the fact that it is dealing with those
persons who themselves are the veterans of the field of investigation and may also
have mastered the art of overreacting the process and who, till date, are not
available to face the process of law, already initiated against them pursuant to the
detailed directions issued by this court. There are shocking details emerging as to
how for days and months, no clue is received of a missing person about whom
inquiries were made incessantly.”499
Case 2: Punjab & Haryana High Court directs Haryana prison department
to file forensic report in a custodial death case
On 11 August 2020, the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the prison
department, Haryana to file the forensic report in the case involving the custodial
death of an inmate inside Bhondsi jail premises. In January 2019, 28-year-old
Akhilesh, convicted for robbery and murder, was found dead in Bhondsi jail
premises. The jail officials had claimed that he died of a heart attack. However, the
autopsy report clearly mentioned that various brownish/black pellets were found in
the stomach of the deceased. The jail authorities were questioned regarding their
level of security and caution with which prisoners are handled. The deceasd’s family

499. Gujarat High Court orders transfer of Vadodara ‘custodial death’ probe to state CID, The
Indian Express, 7 August 2020, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-high-
court-orders-transfer-of-vadodara-custodial-death-probe-to-state-cid-6543351/
Page 160 of 188


had approached various authorities and officers to investigate the death inside the
jail premises, but to no avail.500
Case 3: Gujarat High Court criticises Metropolitan Magistrate for casual

approach in conducting inquiry in a custodial death case
In August 2020, the Gujarat High Court criticised the chief metropolitan magistrate
for his “casual” approach as the head of the institution towards conducting an
inquiry into a custodial death case. The High Court ordered the chief metropolitan
magistrate to personally conclude the inquiry into the custodial death case and
submit his report within 15 days to the High Court. The High Court was upset
because its order passed in March 2020 for completion of the inquiry was not
complied with by the metropolitan court. The case pertains to the custodial death of
Umang alias Sonu Chhatral at Sabarmati jail. His autopsy suggested he had 11 ante-
mortem injuries. His brother Pritesh filed a complaint seeking an inquiry into the
death, accusing Shahibaug police of torturing Sonu in custody in November 2016. As
the judicial inquiry into the custodial death did not make any headway for nearly
three years, Pritesh Chhatral moved the High Court through advocate N M Kapadia,
seeking directions to the metropolitan court to do the needful at the earliest. On 5
March 2020, the High Court sought a report from the metropolitan court, which
tendered a report prepared on 19 March 2020. After perusing the report, the High
Court said, “…it appears that the learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) has
adopted casual approach in spite of he being a head of the Institution and he could
not comply with the order dated 05.03.2020 passed by this Court.”501
Case 4: Kerala High Court directs CBI to investigate custodial death case
On 21 August 2020, the Kerala High Court directed the CBI to take over the
investigation into a case registered in connection with the alleged custodial death of
a farmer in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The High Court gave the directive while
disposing of a petition filed by the wife of the deceased farmer Mathai (41 years),
seeking a CBI probe into the case. Mathai was found dead in a well on his farm in
Pathanamthitta district on 28 July 2020, hours after he was picked up by Forest
Department officials for questioning over the destruction of a camera set up by the
department for animal-spotting. In her petition, the widow alleged that the
investigation being carried out by the state police was not fair.502

500. High Court issues direction to file forensic report in inmate’s death, Hindustan Times,
16 August 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurugram/high-court-issues-direction-
to-file-forensic-report-in-inmate-s-death/story-d62SIzdnIK9mFkTwR1WwFL.html
501. Custodial death: Metropolitan court gets HC rap, The Times of India, 19 August 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/custodial-death-metropolitan-court-
gets-hc-rap/articleshowprint/77622666.cms
502. Kerala High Court Directs CBI To Take Over Probe Into Farmer's Alleged Custodial Death,
NDTV, 22 August 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-high-court-directs-
cbi-to-take-over-probe-into-farmers-alleged-custodial-death-2283431
Page 161 of 188


Case 5: Supreme Court defers hearing on pleas seeking fresh guidelines on

custodial deaths, torture and rape
On 14 September 2020, the Supreme Court deferred hearing on a batch of petitions

urging it to lay fresh guidelines to fill the legal lacunae surrounding custodial deaths,
torture and rape in police custody. A bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice
UU Lalit, said it will hear the matter on 7 October 2020. A batch of petitions were
filed seeking fresh guidelines in wake of the custodial torture and death of father-
son duo, P Jayaraj and J Bennix, who were detained by the police in Tamil Nadu on
19 June 2020 for keeping their mobile phone shop open beyond the permissible
hours during the COVID-19 lockdown.503
Case 6: Supreme Court expresses shock at 13 year long stay of trial of
police officer in a custodial death case
On 23 September 2020, the Supreme Court expressed shock at the stay of criminal
proceedings for almost 13 years in a case pertaining to custodial death of a man in
Uttar Pradesh on 1 March 1997. In its order, the Supreme Court directed the trial
court to proceed with the trial pertaining to the death of the petitioner’s father
almost on a day to day basis as far as possible and to conclude it within a period of
one year from its commencement. The accused police officer had challenged the
summons issued by the trial court before the Allahabad High Court. While issuing
notice in the matter, the High Court had also granted an interim stay on 13
September 2007. The matter continued in that position since then for the last 13
years with the criminal proceedings stayed. The Supreme Court while vacating the
interim order of the High Court noted that at one stage, the High Court had even
reserved its orders on the proceedings on 14 February 2013, but had again listed the
matter for rehearing on 6 March 2013, which again did not produce any result. In
2018, the son of the deceased approached the Supreme Court against the criminal
proceedings being put in abeyance by way of the High Court’s interim order.504
Case 7: Madras High Court seeks State government’s reply in custodial

torture of a farmer
On 30 September 2020, the Madras high court sought response from the state
government of Tamil Nadu in a case of custodial torture of a farmer. The order was

503. SC Adjourns To Oct 7 Hearing On Plea Seeking Fresh Guidelines On Deaths, Rapes In
Police Custody, Business World, 14 September 2020,
http://www.businessworld.in/article/SC-adjourns-to-Oct-7-hearing-on-plea-seeking-
fresh-guidelines-on-deaths-rapes-in-police-custody/14-09-2020-320371/
504. SC expresses shock and displeasure at 13-year-long stay in custodial death case;
vacates stay, seeks report from Allahabad HC, The Leaflet, 29 September 2020,
https://www.theleaflet.in/sc-expresses-shock-and-displeasure-at-13-year-long-stay-in-
custodial-death-case-vacates-stay-seeks-report-from-allahabad-hc/#
Page 162 of 188


passed while hearing the suo motu public interest litigation initiated following the
custodial deaths of the father-son duo of P Jeyaraj and his son J Beniks. R
Sathiamoorthy, Executive Trustee of NGO People’s Watch who had filed an
intervening petition in this case seeking inquiry into the incident in which a farmer
identified as C Martin was subjected to alleged custodial torture by the police in
Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district in August 2020.505
Case 8: Madras High Court quashes State Government’s order authorising

DCPs to perform role of Executive Magistrate
On 2 October 2020, a single bench of Justice P.N. Prakash of the Madras High Court
quashed the Tamil Nadu government’s order vesting upon the Deputy
Commissioners of Police (DCPs) the powers and functions of an Executive Magistrate
under the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C). The court held that the two
Government Orders issued by the Tamil Nadu government in 2013 and 2014
authorising Deputy Commissioners of Police across the State to perform the
functions of an Executive Magistrate under the Cr.P.C. were illegal since they were
directly in violation of Section 6 of the District Police Act enacted during the colonial
rule in 1859. Noting that “India should never become a police State,” Justice Prakash
quashed the powers conferred by the State government on police officers to
imprison those who breach bonds executed under Section 117 of the Code of
Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) to keep peace and maintain good behaviour. Justice
Prakash stated that the police could not be heard to say that it would become
impossible to maintain law order in the State without it being given the power to
obtain bonds of good behaviour from habitual offenders and to send them to prison
in case of a breach. “Rule of law cannot be sacrificed at the altar of expediency,” he
observed.506
The judge also suggested that the State government could follow the detailed
guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in the famous Prakash Singh’s case in 2006.
He impressed upon the need to repeal all the colonial police laws in vogue and
replace them with new enactments aimed at making the State police force
thoroughly professional and independent.507

505. HC seeks state govt response in cases of murder, farmer’s ‘custodial torture’, The Times
of India, 1 October 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/hc-seeks-
state-govt-response-in-cases-of-murder-farmers-custodial-
torture/articleshowprint/78416241.cms
506. India should never become a police State, says HC, The Hindu, 3 October 2020;
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/india-should-never-become-a-
police-state-says-hc/article32755679.ece
507. India should never become a police State, says HC, The Hindu, 3 October 2020;
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/india-should-never-become-a-
police-state-says-hc/article32755679.ece
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Case 9: Gauhati High Court asks Assam government to take required steps
to shift foreigner detention centre from jail premises
On 7 October 2020, the Gauhati high court directed the Home and Political
Department, Assam government to take the required steps to move out the six
foreigner detention centres existing within the premises of Goalpara, Kokrajhar,
Jorhat, Silchar, Dibrugarh and Tezpur district jail. The order, inter alia stated: “We
require the authorities in the State Government, Home and Political Affairs to submit
an action taken report within the next returnable date on the steps that have been
taken to set up detention centre outside the jail premises and if necessary by
following the requirement of the two communication dated 07.03.2012 and
10.09.2014 as well as the Clause 4.1 and 4.4 of the model manual which requires
that if suitable government accommodations are not available for the purpose, the
authorities may also be required to hire any private premises for the purpose.”508
The directive was given by single judge bench of Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Baruah
after hearing a batch of four petitions filed by Abantee Dutta, Dipika Sarkar and
Santanu Borthakur etc among others relating to the issue “as to in what manner the
detention centers are required to be operated by the authorities for the purpose of
keeping the foreigners/illegal migrants and others who are awaiting
deportation/repatriation to the countries of their origin or waiting an adjudication of
their respective claims.”509
Earlier, in a communication dated 07.03.2012 addressed to all the Principal

Secretaries to all the State Governments and Union Territories the Ministry of Home
Affairs in compliance of directions of the Supreme Court in Bhim Singh vs. Union of
India [(2012) 13 SCC 471], instructed that alleged foreign nationals who have
completed their sentence but they could not be repatriated as their nationality has
not been confirmed be released from jail immediately and they may be kept at an
appropriate place outside the jail premises with restricted movement pending
repatriation. In Bhim Singh vs. Union of India [(2012) 13 SCC 471] the Supreme
Court held that the 37 Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentence but
could not be repatriated as their nationality has not been confirmed by the Pakistan
High Commission “cannot be confined to prison and deprived of basic human rights
and human dignity.” The apex court had directed to release those 37 persons from
jail immediately and keep them at appropriate place with restricted movements
pending their deportation/repatriation but those places must have basic facilities of
electricity, water and hygiene and the 21 out of the 37 persons, who are mentally

508. Order dated 7 October 2020 passed by the Gauhati High Court in Writ Petition (Crl.)
No.2/2020, W.P.(Crl.) 4/2020, W.P.(Crl.) 6/2020 and W.P.(Crl.) 7/2020; available at:
https://services.ecourts.gov.in/ecourtindiaHC/cases/display_pdf.php?filename=U%2BbhtlrL
e2adAHN8Tz%2F1d7SCVchlAYH3Y8ZhwrvM3Ay%2FuX64w2BldrHgDMr96qHk&caseno=W.P.(
Crl.)/2/2020&cCode=1&appFlag=
509. Ibid
Page 164 of 188


challenged, be given proper medical help/assistance or treatment in suitable
government hospitals or the hospitals/clinics run by NGOs. 510
Case 10: Madras High Court directs State government and DGP to frame
SOP to maintain CCTV footage to prevent custodial torture
On 9 October 2020, the Madras High Court directed the State Government of Tamil
Nadu to file a detailed report for framing a Standard Operating Procedure to
maintain footage of CCTVs installed inside police stations across the State in order to
prevent human rights violations and cases of custodial torture. The order was issued
by the two-member bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha on a
petition filed by K Nizamuddin, a Chennai-based advocate who raised the recent
custodial deaths of father-son duo in Sathankulam police station. According to the
petitioner, there is no statutory framework or SOP prescribed to protect and
maintain the CCTV footage inside the police stations in Tamil Nadu.511
Case 11: Calcutta High Court orders second post mortem in a case of
death in judicial custody
On 16 October 2020, the Calcutta High Court ordered a second postmortem

examination on the body of Madan Ghorai @ Kalipada, who died in judicial custody
acting on a petition filed by his brother claiming that he was tortured in a
correctional home in Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal. The High Court directed
the Head of the Forensic Department, R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, to
conduct a full-fledged autopsy afresh and videograph the entire process. Madan
Ghorai, who was said to be a member of the BJP, was accused of kidnapping a
woman at Patashpur in Purba Medinipur district and was in judicial remand since 27
September 2020 following his arrest. The prisoner died on 13 October 2020. The
petitioner alleged that his brother might have been tortured in custody and also
claimed that he was brought to Kolkata for treatment from the correctional home in
the district without the knowledge of the family. The High Court while passing the
order stated that since there are allegations of unnatural death and that too in
custody, it was acceding to the request of the petitioner for a second postmortem
examination.512

510. Ibid
511. Is there a plan to preserve CCTV footage in police stations, Madras HC asks TN govt, The
New Indian Express, 9 October 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-
nadu/2020/oct/09/is-there-a-plan-to-preserve-cctv-footage-in-police-stations-madras-
hc-asks-tn-govt-2208182.html
512. Bengal Man Dies In Custody Allegedly Due To Torture; Fresh Autopsy Ordered, NDTV, 17
October 2020, https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/bengal-man-dies-in-custody-allegedly-
due-to-torture-fresh-autopsy-ordered-2311413
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Case 12: Madras High Court issues notice to police in a case of custodial
torture
On 22 October 2020, the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court issued notice to four
police officials, including Madurai Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) R
Shiva Prasad, in a petition filed by a woman alleging that the officials harassed and
threatened her husband and her family to withdraw a custodial torture complaint
lodged by her husband against police officials. The petitioner R Yasmin alleged that
the Triplicane police had foisted a false case on her husband Raja Hussain and
tortured him in custody in March 2020 and that a complaint in this regard is pending
before the State Human Rights Commission. She claimed that to force them to
withdraw the complaint, DCP Prasad issued show cause notice to her husband under
Section 110 (Security for good behaviour from habitual offenders) of CrPC. She
sought action against the DCP, Assistant Commissioner Soora Kumaran, and two
inspectors for harassing and threatening her husband and her family. Justice Abdul
Quddhose of the High Court issued notice to Director General of Police and the
aforesaid officials and adjourned the case for filing response.513
Case 13: Haryana judicial magistrate recommends inquiry into custodial

rape of two Dalit girls
On 27 October 2020, Superintendent of Police, Sonipat district, Haryana submitted
that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Assistant Superintendent of Police,
Sonipat has started investigation into the alleged rape of two Dalit girls who were
raped by 12 policemen in custody at a police post in Sonipat district in July 2020.
The SIT was formed after a judicial magistrate after inquiring into the case had
recommended inquiry by a senior IPS officer. A fact-finding report by a Chandigarh-
based group Bekhauf Azaadi expressed concerns over the alleged gangrape and the
manner in which the matter was handled after the incident. According to the report,
one of the girls was 17 years old when the alleged gang rape took place while the
other girl, her cousin, was 19 years old. They were taken in custody in connection
with their alleged role in the murder of two policemen in the district in the night of
30 June 2020. The minor girl and her cousin were raped by 10-12 policemen in
custody. According to the minor victim, 10-12 police officials raped her, physically
abused her, and used foreign objects to insert in her vagina. On 4 and 5 July 2020,
the police took the two girls under remand in Baroda police station, where the
sexual violence continued. On 6 July 2020, both of them were sent to judicial
custody in Karnal jail. According to the fact-finding report, the first medical
examination was conducted under the surveillance of those who are accused of
sexual violence.514

513. Notice on plea alleging police harassment, The New Indian Express, 23 October 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2020/oct/23/notice-on-plea-
alleging-police-harassment-2214114.html
514. Haryana: Woman IPS officer-led SIT to probe allegations of gangrape by a dozen cops in
custody, The Indian Express, 28 October 2020,
Page 166 of 188


Case 14: Calcutta HC takes suo motu cognizance of custodial death of
minor
On 5 November 2020, the Calcutta HC took suo motu cognizance of reports in some
leading newspapers about the custodial death of a 15-year-old boy in Birbhum’s
Mallarpur on 30 October and directed the Birbhum police superintendent to file a
report. The boy, arrested on suspicion of theft, was found hanging in the toilet of
the Mallarpur police station on 30 October triggering villagers to accuse police of
custodial death. According to the reports, the boy was arrested for alleged theft. The
final outcome of the arrest raises a serious issue about the violation of child rights.
The court has directed the Member Secretary of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) to
give notice to the Advocate General of the state. The court also directed the West
Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) to file a report on it.
The orders were issued by the division bench of Justices Harish Tandon and Soumen
Sen.515
Case 15: Allahabad High Court seeks government response in plea alleging
illegal detention of two Nigerian nationals
On 16 November 2020, the Allahabad HC has directed the Centre and the State of
Uttar Pradesh to respond to a habeas corpus petition alleging the illegal detention of
two Nigerian nationals. The plea alleged that the two Nigerian nationals had been
unlawfully detained since September 2019. The Court was told that Chima paul
Ugochukwu and Chinasa Victor Obioha were illegally detained at Surajpur Police
lines, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, since 24 September 2019, without there being
any case pending against them. It was further alleged that they had not even been
produced before the Magistrate till date and that neither their relatives nor their
advocates had been informed about any case being registered against them nor
about the reasons for their detention.516
Case 16: Allahabad High Court orders Uttar Pradesh government to file
affidavit on alleged illegal detention and torture of juveniles during the
anti CAA protests
On 17 November 2020, the Allahabad HC ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to

file an affidavit in response to the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed alleging illegal
detention and torture of juveniles during the anti Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/haryana-woman-ips-officer-led-sit-
to-probe-allegations-of-gangrape-by-a-dozen-cops-in-custody-6906045/
515. 15-yr-old dies in custody in Birbhum dist, Calcutta High Court asks for report, 6
November 2020, https://www.indialegallive.com/constitutional-law-news/courts-news/15-
yr-old-dies-in-custody-in-birbhum-dist-calcutta-high-court-asks-for-report/
516. Allahabad High Court seeks government response in plea alleging illegal detention of
two Nigerian nationals, 16 November 2020,
https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/allahabad-high-court-seeks-response-
plea-alleging-illegal-detention-nigerian-nationals
Page 167 of 188


protests.517 The Division Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and
Justice Siddhartha Varma directed the Government to file a detailed response taken
by it regarding statutory compliances with the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (JJ Act) in
all the districts of Uttar Pradesh. The Bench was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO
namely, HAQ Centre for Child Rights, on the basis of a fact-finding report
prepared by them alleging that in the process of preventing protests against the
CAA, many minors were detained and tortured by the police in the state of Uttar
Pradesh. The plea has alleged that the actions of the UP police was in grave breach
of the JJ Act, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, UN Convention Against
Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment and Punishment and
the Constitutional rights guaranteed to children under Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21.518
Case 17: Orissa High Court seeks report from state government over
custodial death
On 20 November 2020, a division bench of the Orissa HC comprising Chief Justice
Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Biswanath Rath took cognizance of the incident of
death of one K Ramesh in police custody and directed the State to file an affidavit
on the matter. The bench issued the direction after advocates Deepak Mohapatra
and Padmalaya Mohapatra made mention of a PIL on the death in police custody.
A Puri-based lawyer Sarat Kumar Rayguru filed the petition seeking court-
monitored investigation, immediate action against police officials involved in the
"unlawful incident" and compensation to the family of the deceased. According to
the petition filed in the HC, Ramesh was arrested and taken to Baselisahi police
station on 18 November morning. He was charged under different sections of IPC,
including attempt to murder, and Arms Act. He sustained severe injuries in his
head and body in police custody. He was taken to Puri DHH Hospital but died on
the way at around 8.30 pm. The body was cremated at around 12.30 pm on 19
November instead of handing over to the family members or allowing them to see
it, the petition alleged.519
Case 18: Bombay High Court directs police stations to maintain regular
register of CCTVs
On 2 December 2020, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay HC directed police
stations in the state to maintain a register detailing the daily functioning of the
CCTV cameras to prevent custodial torture in Maharashtra. Incidentally, on the same
day the SC directed installation of CCTV cameras across all police stations in the

517. Haq Centre For Child Rights vs State of U.P. and Another- Crl. W. PIL No. 26 of 2020
518. Allahabad HC seeks govt’s response on alleged police torture of Juveniles, Sabrang, 18
November 2020, https://sabrangindia.in/article/allahabad-hc-seeks-govts-response-
alleged-police-torture-juveniles
519. Puri custodial death: Orissa High Court, NHRC seek report from state government, New
Indian Express, 21 November 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/nov/21/puri-custodial-death-
orissa-high-court-nhrc-seek-report-from-state-government-2226204.html
Page 168 of 188


country. The SC asked states and UTs to “ensure that CCTV cameras are installed in
each and every police station functioning” in their respective limits and to store the
recording for a minimum of one year.
The directions of the HC were prompted after it expressed surprise that many police
stations make submissions before courts that the CCTV systems were not functional
when footage was sought by the courts in cases pertaining to alleged harassment in
police stations. The bench observed that the register would enable to ascertain the
truthfulness of the claims of police regarding non-functional CCTV systems of the
day in question.
The division bench of Justice Tanaji V Nalawade and Justice Mukund G Sewlikar was
informed by one Wajid Mukhtyarmiya Shaikh, who filed a plea through advocate
Sachin S Panhale, that CCTV footage of 20 April 2020 of the Umarga police station of
Osmanabad district, which he had sought to substantiate claims in a criminal case
against custodial harassment, was not provided by the police and same created
‘serious suspicion’ against the concerned police station.
The court confirmed that such footage of the relevant day as sought by petitioner
was not available, as on that date the CCTV was not functional. Expressing
displeasure about the lapses, the bench remarked, “This is not the first instance
when the concerned police station has informed that CCTV system was not working.
Some specific directions are given by this court at this seat and at the principal seat
also to see that CCTV systems are installed in every police station and it should
cover lockup and other portions of police stations”.520 In light of this, the court laid
down a procedure to maintain records for seamless functioning of CCTV systems and
said that the same must be followed by the police stations in the state. The HC said
that an officer is required to be appointed to oversee working of the system and the
recording needs to be seen every day by some officer, following which entry about it
needs to be made in a register.521
Case 19: Madras High Court issues inquiry Guidelines to allow family to
take photos of body, videograph Autopsy Etc
On 2 December 2020, the Madras HC issued a slew of directions for the conduct of
inquiry under Section 176(1)(A) CrPC in cases of unnatural deaths in custody. While
issuing guidelines for inquiry in cases of unnatural death, the Madurai Bench of the
Madras HC observed "Every time a custodial death occurs, the legitimacy of the
State suffers a big dent. That can be set right only by ensuring transparent
investigation. A dead person is equally entitled to justice. I would call it posthumous

520. Bombay HC bats for CCTV cameras in police stations, directs cops to maintain daily
register, The Indian Express, 6 December 2020,
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bombay-hc-bats-for-cctv-cameras-in-police-
stations-directs-cops-to-maintain-daily-register-7093342/
521. Ibid
Page 169 of 188


justice. Whenever someone suffers an unnatural death, the circumstances that led
to it will have to be unearthed. Otherwise, there would be no closure”.522
The Bench directed that the body of the deceased will mandatorily be shown to his/
her family both front and back, and they shall be allowed to take video and photos.
The direction comes in an alleged case of custodial death, whereby the bereaved
family accused the authorities of conducting a 'farce of an autopsy' as part of their
cover up.
The Court proceeded to issue the following guidelines:
 The Judicial Magistrate conducting the enquiry under Section 176(1)(A)
Cr.P.C. shall ensure that the family of the deceased or its representatives are
given access to see the body both front and back and are also allowed to take
video and photos.
 No autopsy shall take place or commence without the next of kin having seen
the body. Of course, if the family of the deceased refuses to see the body,
even after so being permitted by the concerned Judicial Magistrate conducting
the enquiry, the Judicial Magistrate can in writing, permit the conducting of
postmortem.
 The autopsy shall be carried out by a team of two doctors who have a
master's degree in forensic medicine and are attached to a Medical College
and Hospital in the State. In other words, what is called as forensic autopsy
must be conducted.
 The autopsy shall be done by adhering to the norms laid down by the Hon'ble
Division Bench in V.Eswaran vs Government Of Tamil Nadu, dated 16.04.2019
in W.P.No.10694 of 2019 and in W.P.(MD)No.78 of 2019, dated 28.09.2020.
 The whole body shall be x-rayed in order to find out if there are any
fractures. The entire autopsy should be videographed from the start of the
examination till its completion by adhering to the following six phases set out
in Modi 'a Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology' 26th Edition
edited by Justice K.Kannan.
The Court further directed that the autopsy report should be prepared expeditiously
and handed over to the investigating officer in the case so that the filing of the final
report is not delayed. A copy of the autopsy report as well as video should be
simultaneously given to the legal heir or representatives of the family of the
deceased. This alone will enable them to take recourse to legal remedies
immediately. If after receipt of the autopsy report, the legal heir/representatives of
the deceased family give in writing that they intend to move the HC, the body shall
be preserved in the mortuary for at least 48 hours. If the body is disposed of either

522. Custodial Deaths : Madras High Court Issues Inquiry Guidelines - Allow Family To Take
Photos Of Body, Videograph Autopsy Etc, Livelaw, 3 December 2020,
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/custodial-deaths-madras-high-court-inquiry-
guidelines-166777
Page 170 of 188


by cremation or otherwise in the meanwhile, the very purpose of holding a second
postmortem will be rendered infructuous, the Court said.523
Case 20: Madhya Pradesh High Court orders FIR against three policemen
for branding man ‘criminal’
On 7 December 2020, the Times of India has reported that the Madhya Pradesh HC
has ordered FIR against three policemen for wrongly branding a man as ‘bounty-
carrying criminal’ by police in Gwalior. The HC has ordered compensation of Rs
5,00,000 to be paid to the victim and the compensation to be recovered from the
three policemen who “violated his fundamental rights by keeping him in illegal
detention, and tarnished his image by presenting him as a criminal”. The court also
imposed a cost of Rs 20,000, to be paid jointly by the three policemen within 15
days. The court came down heavily on the state police for not complying with its
orders related to publishing images of the guilty policemen. It also ordered
Lokayukta police to register an FIR against the three policemen. The government
was asked to submit action-taken reports on all the orders within 16 days. The
orders came while the Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Arun Sharma, who
alleged that he was forcibly evicted by the three policemen from a shop he had
taken on rent. After hearing all arguments, the court noted the “hostile attitude” of
police in protecting the life and liberty of citizens.524
Case 21: Madras High Court directs CB-CID to submit final report in
custodial death case
On 10 December 2020, the Madras HC directed the Crime Branch, Crime
Investigation Department (CB-CID) to submit a copy of the final report in a case
where a 17-year-old boy died due to custodial torture in 2019.
Additional Advocate General K Chellapandian submitted that the CB-CID officials who
had completed investigation had filed the final report before the jurisdictional court.
Taking cognizance of the submissions, Justice J Nisha Banu directed the CB-CID to
produce a copy of the final report before the court. The court was hearing a petition
filed by M Jeya of Kochadai who sought to probe her son’s custodial death at S S
Colony police station in Madurai. The petitioner stated that her son was taken into
police custody on 13 January 2019 in connection with a jewel theft case and kept in
illegal custody. Four days later, she received a phone call from her son asking her to
come to the police station. She stated that he complained of severe pain as he was
physically tortured by the police personnel to extract a confession that he stole the
jewels. After Jeya complained to the magistrate on 18 January 2019, regarding the
custodial torture, an official from the juvenile justice board visited them two days

523. Ibid
524. Madhya Pradesh HC orders FIR against 3 cops for branding man ‘criminal’, The Times of
India, 7 December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/madhya-
pradesh-hc-orders-fir-against-3-cops-for-branding-man-
criminal/articleshow/79599731.cms
Page 171 of 188


later, and took statements. However, the boy who was undergoing treatment at the
Government Rajaji Hospital died on 24 January 2019.525
Case 22: Delhi High Court orders probe into allegations of torture of in
Tihar jail
On 20 December 2020, the Times of India reported that the Delhi HC has ordered a
probe into allegations that inmates in Tihar jail were beaten up and the incident was
being hushed up. A bench of justices J R Midha and A J Bhambhani directed a
magistrate to conduct a swift inquiry into the allegations and submit a report after
the jail authorities failed to satisfy the court with CCTV evidence to disprove the
claim of beatings in their custody. In its order the Bench noted that “This court is of
the view that it would be appropriate and in the interest of justice that a summary
inquiry be conducted by a metropolitan magistrate into the complaint of the
appellant..the principal district and sessions judge (headquarters) shall nominate a
metropolitan magistrate to conduct a summary inquiry into the complaint…the
necessary inquiry will be completed within a period of four weeks from the date of
the nomination of the judicial officer by the principal district and sessions judge”.
The court was hearing a plea by one Mohd Sumer, a murder convict serving jail term
in Tihar. The appellant’s advocate informed the court that on the night of 28 October
2020, the appellant and various other inmates were mercilessly beaten by the jail
staff and police officials without any provocation. He further alleged that all of them
were kept in a single cell after the incident and were neither provided medication
nor proper food. The bench ordered the probe after the authorities failed to
produce CCTV footage.526
Case 23: Rajasthan High Court seeks state govt’s reply on work in prisons
On 20 December 2020, the Hindustan Times reported that the Rajasthan HC has
sought the state government’s response and called for a complete overhaul of the
“archaic” rule book after a report highlighted the existence of a caste-based work
assignment system in the prisons in Rajasthan. The division bench of Justice
Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devendra Kachhawaha, while hearing the petition filed
by Manoj Yadav, directed additional advocate general Farzand Ali to apprise the
court regarding the proposed steps for complete overhauling of the Prison Manual
and to ensure that the prisoners are not forced to indulge in menial jobs like
cleaning toilets, etc, merely on the basis of their caste and also that no under trial
prisoner is forced to perform such jobs in the prison. The court urged the state

525. HC seeks report on boy’s torture, death, The Times of India, 11 December 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/hc-seeks-report-on-boys-torture-
death/articleshowprint/79670164.cms
526. Delhi High Court orders inquiry into claims of beatings in Tihar, Times of India, 20
December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/court-orders-inquiry-into-
claims-of-beatings-in-
tihar/articleshow/79818236.cms#:~:text=NEW%20DELHI%3A%20Delhi%20High%20Court,inci
dent%20was%20being%20hushed%20up.&text=He%20further%20alleged%20that%20all,provi
ded%20medication%20nor%20proper%20food.
Page 172 of 188


government to consider installation of mechanized/automated cleaning facilities in all
the prisons in the interest of justice. The order came following detailed reporting in
The Wire according to which those at the bottom of the caste pyramid did the
cleaning work; while those in higher cases handled kitchen or legal documentation
department.527
Case 24: Orissa High Court expresses displeasure over Puri custodial death
probe
On 22 December 2020, the Orissa High Court expressed its displeasure over the
investigation carried out by the police into the alleged custodial death of a history-
sheeter in Puri, Odisha. The Court was adjudicating over a petition seeking a
judiciary-monitored probe into the alleged custodial death of K Ramesh who was
allegedly killed in custody by the Baselisahi police of Puri district in November,
following which the then SP Akhilesvar Singh was shunted. Local advocate Sarat
Kumar Rayguru approached the HC, seeking a court-monitored probe into the case,
adequate compensation for the family of the deceased and stringent punishment for
the erring policemen. The court, while hearing the plea, sought to know from the
advocate general (AG) if any policeman has been booked for murder charge in the
case. It also asked the AG to submit all case records, including the post mortem
result and the action-taken report by the next date of hearing on 11 January 2021.
The HC further said that all investigations should be conducted in accordance with
NHRC guidelines on custodial deaths.528
Case 25: Allahabad High Court orders inquiry by Chief Judicial Magistrate
into assault on lawyer
On 29 December 2020, the Allahabad High Court has directed the CJM, Etah to
conduct an inquiry into the incident of assault of a lawyer by Uttar Pradesh police
and to submit a report regarding the same. The Police allegedly assaulted an
advocate after dragging him out of his house in Etah. The Uttar Pradesh Police had
allegedly barged into Advocate Rajendra Sharma's house in Etah and dragged him
out in his advocate's dress and assaulted him. A video clip, purportedly of the
incident, showing police personnel breaking open the door of a house, dragging a
man in advocate’s dress out and assaulting him mercilessly, had gone viral. The Bar
Council of India (BCI) had written to the CJI SA Bobde and the Chief Justice of
Allahabad HC, Justice Govind Mathur, requesting them to take immediate steps
against the police personnel who assaulted the lawyer. The order was passed by a
Division Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Saumitra Dayal
Singh which had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and conducted a

527. Rajasthan HC seeks state govt’s reply on work in prisons, The Hindustan Times, 20
December 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/rajasthan-hc-seeks-state-govt-
s-reply-on-work-in-prisons/story-ah0jrEY8AzHOU3G8ZRRsnO.html
528. HC expresses displeasure over Puri custodial death probe, The Outlook, 23 December
2020, https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/hc-expresses-displeasure-over-puri-
custodial-death-probe/1997883
Page 173 of 188


physical hearing to take up the matter. The Court order reads “ We deem it
appropriate to have a complete report of the incident through Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Etah. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah is directed to make a necessary
inquiry by availing all relevant facts including audio visual electronic documents and
submit to this Court on or before next date of listing. The District Magistrate, Etah as
well as Senior Superintendent of Police, Etah are directed to co-operate the Chief
Judicial Magistrate, Etah and they shall supply all relevant facts and documents as
desired by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Etah to furnish report of the incident to this
Court.”529
10. INTERVENTIONS OF NHRC/SHRCs AGAINST TORTURE
10.1. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
The National Human Rights Commission intervened in a number of cases to provide

justice and reparation to the victims, or their family members. Some of the
emblematic interventions of the NHRC during 2020 are given below:
Case 1: NHRC directed Assam Government to pay compensation to torture

victim
On 9 September 2020, the National Human Rights Commission directed the State
Government of Assam to pay compensation of Rs. 100,000 to a torture victim
identified as Shaukat Ali. The victim was allegedly tortured by miscreants in the
presence of police personnel at Biswanath Chariali in Bishwanath district on 7 April
2019. The NHRC also directed the Director General of Police, Assam to apprise it
within four weeks of action taken against the police officials involved in the incident
and warned of invoking appropriate laws if the direction is not complied with.530
Case 2: NHRC issued show cause notice to Nagaland government for

payment of compensation in custodial death case
On 7 October 2020, the NHRC issued notice u/s 18 of the Protection of Human
Rights Act, 1993 to the Chief Secretary, Government of Nagaland, to show cause as
to why the Commission should not grant suitable monetary compensation of Rs.

529. Allahabad High Court orders inquiry by Etah Chief Judicial Magistrate into assault on
lawyer, Bar and Bench, 29 December 2020,
https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/allahabad-high-court-orders-etah-chief-
judicial-magistrate-submit-enquiy-report-assault-lawyer
530. National Human Rights Commission asks Assam govt to pay compensation to torture
victim, East Mojo, 17 September 2020,
https://www.eastmojo.com/assam/2020/09/17/national-human-rights-commission-asks-
assam-govt-to-pay-compensation-to-torture-victim
Page 174 of 188


4,50,000 to the next of kin of the deceased Rolongse Sanghtam, aged 18 years, who
died on 4 October 2018 at Mon Police station, Mon District, Nagaland. The
commission cautioned that in case of failure to show cause within 6 weeks the
Commission shall presume that the State Government has nothing more to urge in
the matter and has no objection in grant of compensation to the NoK of the
deceased and shall proceed accordingly.531
The order was passed by the NHRC pursuant to a complaint dated 8 October 2018
filed by Campaign against Torture alleging custodial death of the deceased at Mon
Police station and sought intervention of the Commission. Vide proceedings dated 5
February 2019 the Commission observed and directed its investigation Investigation
Division to analyse the reports and submit a report within 4 weeks. The NHRC’s
Investigation Division after collecting/analyzing relevant reports/records submitted
that deceased Rolongse Sangtam was apprehended on 04 October 2018 at around
2030 hrs for creating ruckus in the town area, was put in lockup as a disciplinary
measures, was duly searched but the sentry who made search overlooked his belt
and at about 2130 hrs he was found hanging from the door of the lockup using his
belt as ligature. It further stated that though he was taken to the hospital but
declared brought dead and a case crime No 03/18 U/S 174 Cr.P.C was registered in
the matter. Further, Inquest Report revealed ligature mark on neck of the deceased
and witnesses present during inquest opined that the cause of death was due to
suffocation due to hanging. PMR stated ligature mark on neck of the deceased,
fractured cricord process and sub conjuctival Haemorrahage and cause of death was
Cardio respiratory arrest due to ligature mark over neck. Magisterial Enquiry Report
conducted by Chief Judicial magistrate Mon, Nagaland concluded that the deceased
died due to Cardio respiratory arrest and did not find any evidence to suggest foul
play on part of the police personnel’s on duty on the night of the said incident. The
NHRC’s Investigation Division suggested issuance of Show Cause Notice u/s 18 of
the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993 for monetary compensation to the
NoK of the deceased. After considering the report of its investigation division, the
NHRC concluded that “..it amounts to grave violation of human rights of the
deceased. Had the concerned police officials been vigilant enough, this incident
could have been avoided and a precious life would have been saved” and issued the
show cause notice to Nagaland government for payment of compensation to the
NoK of the deceased.532
Case 3: NHRC directed Madhya Pradesh to submit report on prisoners’

rights violation and inhuman behaviour
On 19 October 2020, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the
Chief Secretary and the Inspector General of Prisons, Madhya Pradesh after taking
suo motu cognizance of the poor health status of all the prisoners belonging to the

531. NHRC proceedings dated 7 October 2020 in Case No. 6/17/5/2018-ad; available at:
https://hrcnet.nic.in/HRCNet/public/CaseStatus.aspx
532.Ibid
Page 175 of 188


banned Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) within four weeks. Six members
of the banned SIMI had begun a hunger strike inside the Central Jail, Bhopal a week
ago demanding better food, exemption from regular frisking and freedom from high
security block. The NHRC said “The prisoners have the right to Food and Dignity
which is the basic human rights and the State, being their lawful custodian, cannot
deny it to the inmates, in its lawful custody.” Further, the NHRC stated that due to
significant increase in the case of coronavirus amongst the prisoners lodged in
various jails across the country, it is necessary that the prisoners are provided
proper food so that their immunity level remains satisfactory which is also necessary
as per guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation and Indian Council of
Medical Research.533
Case 4: NHRC directed Madhya Pradesh to conduct investigation over a

repeated rape of a woman in custody
On 19 October 2020, the NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Director
General of Police and the Director General of Prisons, Madhya Pradesh after taking
suo motu cognizance about the allegations made by woman on five policemen for
gang rape in police lockup in May 2020. The case relates to the gang rape of a 20-
year-old woman during her detention in a police station for 10 days in May 2020 by
five police personnel including the Police Station Incharge and SDPO of Mangawan
area of Rewa district. The victim was an accused in a case of murder and presently
she is lodged in judicial custody. The incident occurred in May 2020 but it came to
the knowledge of the District Judge after a period of five months. Even the prison
warden did not have the courage to report the matter to the higher authorities. The
victim alleged that she was subjected to rape from 9 May 2020 to 21 May 2020.
Even a female constable had protested at that time but she was rebuked by her
seniors. The NHRC considering the vulnerable position of the victim observed “She
was in police custody when she was allegedly subjected to utmost cruelty and sexual
assault by the five police personnel. Even a protest made by a female police official
went in vain. Very serious allegations have been leveled by the victim woman. Public
servants from the law enforcement agencies, who are supposed to safeguard the
citizens specially the women and the people from the vulnerable classes of the
society have allegedly committed the heinous crime against a woman in their
custody.” The NHRC further directed that the matter be investigated by a senior
police officer not below the rank of the Deputy Inspector General of Police.534
Case 5: NHRC directed DM and SP to submit reports on custodial death in

Bihar
On 23 October 2020, the NHRC issued a notice to DM and SP of Sitamarhi district,

Bihar in connection with an alleged death in police custody under the jurisdiction of

533. See NHRC Press Release, 19 October 2020 at https://nhrc.nic.in/media/press-
release/commission-issues-notice-chief-secretary-and-inspector-general-prisons-madhya
534. Ibid
Page 176 of 188


Punaura police station on 6 September 2020. The NHRC had sought the status and
action taken reports within eight weeks from the DM and the SP. The NHRC took
cognisance following a complaint lodged by one Brajesh Singh, which stated that
Nageshwar Rai (50 years), who was arrested in a 12-year-old case related to an
assault on his neighbour, had died in police custody after he was allegedly tortured
in custody at Punaura police station. Rai was arrested from his village after a court
had issued an arrest warrant against him. Ajay Kumar, brother of the deceased had
alleged that the deceased died in police custody due to custodial torture.535
Case 6: NHRC ordered action in handcuffing incident at Amaravati, Andhra

Pradesh
On 9 November 2020, the Deccan Chronicle reported that the NHRC had directed
the Chief Secretary and DGP of Andhra Pradesh to take necessary actions in eight
weeks in the Amaravati handcuffing incident in Andhra Pradesh. On 28 October, the
police handcuffed seven farmers while shifting them to the district jail in Guntur
from Narasaraopet sub-jail. AP Civil Liberties Association state president Muppalla
Subba Rao lodged a complaint with NHRC objecting to the handcuffing and NHRC
issued orders in its response. Subba Rao said that the arrested farmers were
demanding that Amaravati be the solo capital of the state but the police arrested
them and further registered cases under SC, ST Atrocity (Prevention) Act, which was
objectionable. He alleged that the police had violated laws by handcuffing as this
was a severe violation of human rights.536
Case 7: NHRC sought report from state government over custodial death
of K Ramesh
On 21 November 2020, the New Indian Express reported that the NHRC had
sought an action taken report from the State Chief Secretary and DGP of Odisha
within four weeks over the death of one K Ramesh in police custody. The
Commission had sought a copy of the complaint, FIR registered against the
accused, copies of arrest, seizure and recovery memos, copy of medico legal
certificate of the deceased, postmortem report, final cause of death based on
forensic science laboratory report, magisterial enquiry report, among others. The
Commission observed that "The NHRC expresses its deep anguish over the
recurrence of such custodial deaths despite several directions and guidelines issued
by the SC and the Commission. This is not acceptable in a country governed by the

535. Death in police custody: NHRC issues notice to Sitamarhi district administration,
Hindustan Times, 23 October 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/patna/death-in-
police-custody-nhrc-issues-notice-to-sitamarhi-district-administration/story-
lFkEEU4dq4O9ExStixLg3N.html
536. Handcuffing of protesting farmers: NHRC orders action in 8 weeks, The Deccan
Chronicle, 9 November 2020, https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-
news/091120/handcuffing-of-protesting-farmers-nhrc-orders-action-in-8-weeks.html
Page 177 of 188


rule of law”.537 Ramesh was arrested and taken to Baselisahi police station on 18
November morning. He was charged under different sections of IPC, including
attempt to murder, and Arms Act. He sustained severe injuries in his head and
body in police custody. He was taken to Puri DH Hospital but died on the way at
around 8.30 pm. The body was cremated without handing over the body to the
family members or allowing them to see it, the petition alleged.538
Case 8: NHRC sought response from Maharashtra DGP over allegation of

custodial torture of Republic TV Assistant VP by Mumbai Police
On 15 December 2020, the Bar and Bench reported that the NHRC issued notice to
the DGP, Maharashtra on a plea alleging false implication and custodial torture
of Ghanshyam Singh, Assistant Vice President, Distribution, of the Republic Media
Network, following his arrest in connection with the TRP scam case. The NHRC,
acting on a complaint by Editor-in-Chief and Managing Director of Republic Media
Network, Arnab Goswami, observed: ".. there are allegations of physical torture,
false implication and mental harassment of the office bearer of an eminent Media
House (Republic TV network), which cannot be acceptable in a democratic country
like India”.539
Further, the Commission directed the submission of Singh's initial health screening
report at the time of his admission to jail and his medical treatment record during his
stay in the custody, within four weeks. The complaint was filed by Mr. Goswami
seeking urgent intervention of NHRC alleging that Singh's human rights were
violated in jail. Ghanshyam Singh was allegedly picked up from his home arbitrarily
on 10 November 2020 in connection with the TRP scam case, even though the FIR
neither named him, nor Republic TV network. Singh was granted bail on 5 December
2020, by the Mumbai Sessions Court. As per the complaint before the NHRC, Singh
was subjected to "extreme mental cruelty when he refused to comply with the
premeditated script of the police."540

537. Puri custodial death: Orissa High Court, NHRC seek report from state government, New
Indian Express, 21 November 2020,
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/nov/21/puri-custodial-death-
orissa-high-court-nhrc-seek-report-from-state-government-2226204.html
538. Ibid
539. NHRC seeks response from Maharashtra DGP on complaint by Arnab Goswami alleging
custodial torture of Republic TV Assistant VP by Mumbai Police, Bar and Bench, 15 December
2020, https://www.barandbench.com/news/complaint-alleging-custodial-torture-republic-
tv-assistant-vp-nhrc
540 . NHRC seeks response from Maharashtra DGP on complaint by Arnab Goswami alleging
custodial torture of Republic TV Assistant VP by Mumbai Police, Bar and Bench, 15 December
2020, https://www.barandbench.com/news/complaint-alleging-custodial-torture-republic-
tv-assistant-vp-nhrc
Page 178 of 188


Case 9: NHRC issued SOP for forensic evidence collection in sexual assault
cases
On 16 December 2020, the NHRC in a statement stated that it had issued standard
operating procedure (SOP) to all the States and UTs “in order to ensure effective
prosecution leading to conviction in cases of sexual assault on women”. It said that
the document was prepared after consulting medical experts and sent to the States
and UTs for implementation. The Guidelines include taking informed consent of
victim, preserving samples correctly. The Commission issued the SOP for proper
collection and handling of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases, after it observed
that many cases don’t lead to conviction due to inadequate scientific evidence. The
SOP, which was sent to the States and UTs on 9 December by the NHRC, covers
victim care, collection of samples and handing over samples to the forensic science
laboratories by doctors. The statement said “The Commission has come out with this
SOP after it observed that in many cases of alleged rape and sexual assault, there is
substantial delay in medical examination, collection and processing of
scientific/forensic evidences of the victim of sexual assault. The exhibits are
forwarded to the FSL after much delay and by that time, the samples
deteriorate/autolyse and become unsuitable for examination. This delay adversely
affects the investigation for effective prosecution leading to conviction”. The SOP
further stated that the identity of the survivor must be kept confidential and the
priority should be to treat life-threatening injuries before collection of evidence. The
examination should be conducted in privacy and security and the survivor’s
informed, written and verbal consent, including at different points of the process,
should be taken.541
10.2 STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS
The State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) also intervened in a number of cases
to provide justice and reparation to the victims, or their family members during
2020. Some of the emblematic cases are cited below.
A. Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (TNSHRC)
Case 1: TNSHRC summoned six prison officials in a custodial case
In second week of September 2020, TNSHRC directed six prison department officials
to appear before it on 30 September 2020 in connection with the alleged suicide of
P. Ramkumar, an accused in a 2016 murder case. The jail officials who were
summoned included Superintendent of Prison Senthamaraikannan, Deputyy Jailor
Udhayakumar, Assistant Jailor Pitchandi, Chief Warder, Sankarraj, Gr.I. Warders

541. NHRC issues SOP for forensic evidence collection in sexual assault cases, The Hindu, 16
December 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nhrc-issues-sop-for-forensic-
evidence-collection-in-sexual-assault-cases/article33346155.ece
Page 179 of 188


Ramraj and Petchimuthu, all from Central Prison at Puzhal. Ramkumar had allegedly
committed suicide by “pulling and biting into a live electric wire” inside the Puzhal
Central Prison on 18 September 2016. However, several political leaders had alleged
foul play in his death and demanded an independent inquiry.542
Case 2: TNSHRC ordered State Government to pay compensation and take

action for illegal arrest
On 23 September 2020, the TNSHRC recommended a compensation of Rs. 1,75,000

to H. Abul Hassan, who was illegally arrested and taken into custody by women
police, in connection with a domestic dispute. As per the order, the amount of
compensaton is to be recovered from the four guilty police personnel identified as
Lakshmi, then Women Inspector of Police, Pasupathy, then Sub Inspector of Police,
Meerabai and Varalakshmi, then Women Head Constables, all attached to R3 Ashok
Nagar All Women Police Station. The TNSHRC also recommended the State’s Home
Secretary for initiating departmental action against four women police personnel
involved in the case as per the rules. The TNSHRC had acted on the complaint of the
victim.543
Case 3: TNSHRC recommended Rs. 60,000 to couple humiliated by police

On 3 November 2020, the Times of India reported that the TNSHRC has
recommended the state government to pay Rs 60,000 to a couple, who faced
humiliation at the hands of three police personnel over a civil dispute in Kanyakumari
district in 2014. The commission also recommended initiating disciplinary action
against the three. Jaya and her husband Alex had a civil dispute with another
couple, Paul and his wife Rathinabai, who are all residents of Kanyakumari district.
When a complaint was lodged by Paul and his wife, the Anjugramam police
registered a case. Jaya alleged that the police officials had acted in a biased manner
favouring Paul and his wife due to which her husband was detained in illegal custody
and was beaten up by the police in 2014. On perusal of the records and the
submissions made on either side, TNSHRC member A Chittaranjan Mohandoss said
that Jaya and Alex had suffered humiliation in the hands of the police. He said that a
woman sub-inspector Anitha, and special sub-inspectors Kennedy and David

542. Ram Kumar ‘suicide’ in prison: State Human Rights Commission directs officials to
appear, The Hindu, 11 September 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-
nadu/ramkumar-suicide-in-prison-state-human-rights-commission-directs-officials-to-
appear/article32581364.ece
543. Police excess: SHRC recommends compensation for victim taken into custody, The
Hindu, 24 September 2020, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/police-
excess-shrc-recommends-compensation-for-victim-taken-into-
custody/article32685979.ece
Page 180 of 188


Jayasekaran at the time of occurrence have acted in violation of the right to a life of
dignity and security of the couple.544
Case 4: TNSHRC ordered probe into death of remand prisoner in Tamil

Nadu
On 8 November 2020, Times of India reported that the TNSHRC had asked the
Director of its investigation wing to investigate the death of a remand prisoner in
Virudhachalam sub-jail. The Commission had earlier issued notices to the home
Secretary and Director General of Police, Prisons, regarding the issue. Subsequently,
the Superintendent of Central Prison, Cuddalore, had sent a response to the
Commission elaborating the sequence of events. According to the Superintendent’s
report, M Selvamurugan (39), a resident of Kadampuliyur near Panruti was arrested
on an alleged burglary case by the Neyveli township police and was remanded in the
Virudhachalam sub-jail on 30 October after being produced before the judicial
magistrate. According to the prison report, he developed an epileptic attack on 2
November, was treated, but died on 4 November. However, Selvamurugan’s
relatives have alleged that he died because of police torture. The TNSHRC had asked
its own investigation wing to conduct an enquiry and submit a report within eight
weeks.545
Case 5: TNSHRC ordered action against two policemen who robbed techie
on beach
On 11 December 2020, the Times of India reported that the TNSHRC has ordered
the state government to take suitable departmental action against the two
policemen who had accosted two men on Kanathur beach on ECR, attacked them
and took away Rs 2,000 from them. The victims were identified as Karthick, and his
friend Yashwanth.
The Commission also asked the government to pay Rs 50,000 compensation to the
victims. Acting Chairperson of the Commission D Jayachandran had recommended
that the state recover the amount from the personal funds of K Thanigaimalai, and
head constable attached to the Adyar police station, and A Balasubramaniam, a
constable attached to the armed reserve wing. The Commission passed the order
after taking suo motu cognizance of a news report highlighting the incident dated 22
May 2019.546

544. ‘Pay Rs 60,000 relief to couple who were humiliated by police’, The Times of India, 3
November 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/pay-rs-60000-relief-
to-couple-who-were-humiliated-by-police/articleshowprint/79008442.cms
545. SHRC asks its probe wing to look into death, The Times of India, 8 November 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/shrc-asks-its-probe-wing-to-look-into-
death/articleshowprint/79104975.cms
546. Chennai: SHRC orders action against two cops who robbed techie on beach, The Times
of India, 11 December 2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-
Page 181 of 188


B. Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC)
Case 1: Compensation of Rs 7,00,000 to widow of software engineer

beaten to death by policemen in Bihar
On 4 December 2020, the Bihar Human Rights Commission awarded a compensation
of Rs 7,00,000 /- to the widow of a software engineer Ashutosh Kumar Pathak who
was brutally beaten to death allegedly by SHO of Bihpur police station in Bhagalpur
district and some other police men following a minor brawl on the road during Durga
Puja on 24 October 2020. Reportedly, the brawl between the policemen and Pathak
took place when the software engineer was returning to his native village Mandwa
on a motorcycle along with his wife Sneha Kumari and their two-year-old daughter
Manvi Pathak after performing puja at the nearby Bhramarpur Durga Sthan. As per a
police inquiry report submitted to the BHRC, 30-year-old Pathak was not only
brutally thrashed by the then SHO Ranjit Kumar, his private driver Jehangir Rain and
three other policemen, but was also put in the police station’s lock-up for three
hours while the victim continue to bleed due to the beating. Pathak fell unconscious
inside the police lock-up due to excessive bleeding. Pathak was released from the
lock-up for treatment only after his uncle and some other people reached the police
station and requested the SHO. Pathak died at Mayaganj hospital (Bhagalpur)
around 3 am on 25 October during the course of treatment. The BHRC took a suo
moto action on the incident. While awarding the compensation to the deceased’s
widow, the Commission’s member (Judicial) Ujjawal Kumar Dubey in his order stated
“Such an incident is totally unacceptable in a civilized society. The state government
should ensure the ‘strictest-possible’ and an exemplary punishment against the guilty
policemen in this case, so that no police personnel can muster courage to commit
such heinous crime in the future”. The Commission further asked the Bhagalpur
District Magistrate to ensure payment of Rs 7, 00,000 to the deceased’s widow
Sneha Kumari by 10 February 2021.547
C. Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC)
Case 1: Probe into custodial torture of Joji Cherian in Kerela
On 4 January 2020, the Kerala State human rights commission ordered a detailed
inquiry into a complaint of custodial torture by the police in Chottanikkara in Kerala.

shrc-orders-action-against-two-cops-who-robbed-techie-on-
beach/articleshowprint/79672269.cms
547. Bihar: BHRC awards compensation of Rs 7 lakh to widow of software engineer beaten to
death by policemen in Bhagalpur district, The Times of India, 4 December 2020,
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-bhrc-awards-compensation-of-rs-
7-lakh-to-widow-of-software-engineer-beaten-to-death-by-policemen-in-bhagalpur-
district/articleshowprint/79570362.cms
Page 182 of 188


The victim, Joji Cherian, resident of Muriamangalam in Chottanikkara, alleged in his
complaint to the KSHRC that the police officers, who were influenced by real estate
mafia, registered a bogus case against him and thrashed him in custody. He was
booked for obstructing the duty of police in connection with an argument over a
property dispute. The Commission which sought a report from Ernakulam district
police chief, later assigned Superintendent of Police VM Sandeep, who is an
investigation officer with KSHRC, for investigating the case. An official communique
from KSHRC said that the SP found that the complainant underwent medical
examination thrice but he could get the copy of only one report. In the said report,
he found that there were as many as six injuries on the petitioner’s body and that
custodial torture cannot be ruled out. The KSHRC hence ordered a detailed probe
into the incident.548
Case 2: Inquiry into complaint against police
In the last week of October 2020, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission
(KSHRC) ordered the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shanghumughom in
Thiruvananthapuram district to conduct an inquiry into a complaint against police for
allegedly failing to register a child abuse case that took place in February 2020.
According to the complaint, the 11-year-old girl was abused by the Warden of an
orphanage in Thiruvananthapuram. Following medical examination, a doctor had
recommended the police to register a case under the provisions of the POCSO Act.549
Case 3: Order to verify authenticity of info before raiding a house

On 12 December 2020, the New Indian Express reported that the Kerala State
Human Rights Commission ordered that the police should verify and ensure that the
information is authentic before raiding a house. The order was issued on a complaint
filed by Siji P R, a resident of Senapathy in Idukki district. According to the
complainant, the Udumbanchola police raided his house on 23 April 2020, based on
information that he was selling illicit liquor and ganja at his house. The Commission
sought an explanation from Munnar Deputy SP, who submitted that the raid was
conducted based on secret information. The information was that he was selling
liquor at home and was illegally using an unlicensed gun. The police team could
recover only an airgun from the house.550

549. SHRC orders probe into complaint against police, The Hindu, 31 October 2020,
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/shrc-orders-probe-into-complaint-
against-police/article32986939.ece
550. SHRC: Police should verify authenticity of info before raiding a house, The Indian
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/dec/12/shrc-police-shouldverify-
authenticity-of-info-before-raiding-a-house-2235030.html
Page 183 of 188


Case 4: Probe against four Kerala policemen
On 10 December 2020, the New Indian Express reported that the Kerala State
Human Rights Commission had ordered a high-level probe against four policemen,
including a sub-inspector, for having allegedly trespassed into the Government Taluk
Hospital in Varkala during the Covid lockdown and threatening the staff. Commission
Chairman Justice Antony Dominic ordered the Thiruvananthapuram Range Inspector
General (IG) to conduct the probe against the Ayirur police station SI and his three
subordinates. The case was linked to the arrest of Abin B Saji, a pharmacist of the
taluk hospital; on 16 April Abin’s vehicle was blocked by the accused policemen while
he was en route to the hospital. In her complaint, Abin’s mother had alleged that her
son was arrested and his bike impounded by the policemen because of previous
enmity. Later, the policemen allegedly barged into the taluk hospital and threatened
the hospital staff too. The hospital superintendent had complained regarding the
police highhandedness with the district police chief and the Attingal Deputy
Superintendent of Police.551
D. Odisha SHRC
In a series of orders by the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC), the quasi-
judicial body had indicted the state police in several cases of human rights violations.
The Commission ruled against the state police in at least three cases related to
encounter and illegal detention. In an order dated 10 November 2020, the
Commission while deciding the case of tribal youth Manda Kadraka, who was killed
in a joint operation by the state police and the Border Security Force (BSF) noted as
under, “There is no iota of evidence brought before us to come to a conclusion that
the deceased has hatched a conspiracy to kill the superintendent of police and the
collector, nor there is anything to show that the deceased was ever indulged in
Naxalite [Maoist] activities in the village itself.”552 The incident had occurred in
February 2016 in a forest area near Dangamatia village of Kalyansinghpur block in
Rayagada district of the state. The Commission also recommended the state
government to pay a sum of Rs 1,50,000 as compensation to the next of kin of the
deceased.553
In another case of human rights violation, the OSHRC, in an order dated 9
November 2020, ordered the payment of compensations to two victims Halu Gurla

551. Police high-handedness: Human rights panel orders probe against four, The New Indian
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2020/dec/10/police-high-
handedness-human-rights-panel-orders-probe-against-four-2234152.html
552. Odisha HRC Indicts Police in Several Cases, Ask Cops to Pay Compensation From Own
Pocket, The Wire, 20 December 2020, https://thewire.in/rights/odisha-human-rights-
commission-police-abuses
Page 184 of 188


and Raghab Naik who were arrested on trumped up charges of murdering a 19-
year-old in Bargarh district in 2016.554 The Commission had asked the investigating
police official to pay Rs 2,50,000 compensation to each of the youths for abuse of
his power that led to the two innocent men being imprisoned in jail for about eight
months. The Commission noted that “The act of the Police Officer, in our opinion,
amounts to major violation of human rights and misutilisation of power and for
these Police Officers the public confidence in police is weakened. The materials
available on the record is enough to safely presume that this confession has been
extracted by violent means.” The OHRC while recommending the compensation to
the victims further observed that these types of indecorous officers are
unbecoming to a dignified and disciplined force and are bad examples. It has
further recommended that the total compensation amount of Rs. 5, 00,000 be
recovered from the salary of police officer Prakash Kumar Karna.555
In yet another indictment of the state police for excesses, the OHRC on 9
November 2020 directed the State Government not to allot inspector-ranked
officer Sandhyarani Jena any field duty or posting for two years over her alleged
involvement in custodial torture. The Commission also asked the Government to
send Jena for training on how to deal with accused and complex situations.Taking
strong exception to torture of a youth Chitta Ranjan Mohanta by Jena who was
then Patna police station Inspector-In-Charge (IIC), OHRC on 19 May had directed
the SP and the officer concerned to submit a detailed report within four weeks.
Jena had gone on to challenge the Commission’s order in the HC in May but the
court cited that it was not appropriate to directly interfere with the order of OHRC
and asked her to submit a response to the Commission. The Commission had also
directed the Home Secretary and DGP to pay Rs 10,000 as interim compensation
to the youth from salary of the lady officer.556
And, on 20 November 2020, the Times of India reported that the Commission has
asked the state government to pay Rs 2,00,000 compensation to a man, who was
illegally detained by a sub-inspector (SI) at Aska police station in Ganjam district in
2013. According to the report, the Commission also asked the government to
recover the compensation amount from the salary of Rajib Kumar Behera, the
former SI of Aska police station. The OHRC had on 22 May 2013 received a
complaint from a woman, identified as Minakshi Pattnaik, who alleged that the

554. Odisha rights commission asks cop to pay Rs 5 lakh for filing false case, Hindustan
Times, 12 November 2020, https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/odisha-rights-
commission-asks-cop-to-pay-rs-5-lakh-for-filing-false-case/story-
aqYlE8ZchNIrLxVw6jqPHI.html
556. Odisha: Two-year field duty ban on lady IIC for excesses, The New Indian Express, 14
November 2020, https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2020/nov/14/odisha-
two-year-field-duty-ban-on-lady-inspector-in-charge-for-excesses-2223492.html
Page 185 of 188


Aska police raided her house at 2 am on 5 May 2013 in her absence and forcibly
dragged her husband Purna Chandra to the police station. She alleged that though
her husband was not involved in any case, the police detained him at the police
station and tortured him.557
11. SCRUTINY OF INDIA’S RECORDS BY THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS

MECHANISMS
India continued to be under severe scrutiny of the United Nations for grave human
rights violations.
Case 1: UN expert expressed concern on alleged excessive use of force
against CAA protestors
The Special Rapporteur (SR) on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of
association submitted a report titled “Observations on communications transmitted
to Governments and replies received” (A/HRC/44/50/Add.4) to the UN Human Rights
Council. The report mentioned that the SR sent five communications to India but
none was responded to. The five communications sent to India are relating to (1)
allegations of excessive use of force, arrests and arbitrary detention of protestors
since December 2019, in the context of demonstrations against the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act (CAA) (JAL 28/02/2020 Case no: IND 3/2020); (2) allegations
concerning the initiation of criminal proceedings against Mr. Anand Grover, Ms.
Indira Jaising and the human rights NGO Lawyers Collective (JAL 15/07/2019 Case
no: IND 15/2019), (3) allegations concerning severe restrictions on freedom of
expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and of association imposed during the
past week in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the arbitrary arrests and
detention of political figures, journalists, members of civil society and human rights
defenders in the state, and violations to the right to life (JUA 16/08/2019 Case no:
IND 16/2019); (4) allegations concerning the continued judicial proceedings against
and arbitrary detention of ten human rights defenders promoting the rights of the
Dalit minority, and the house arrests of five of them (JAL 28/08/2019 Case no: IND
17/2019); and (5) allegations concerning the suspension of registration of the
human rights organisation Centre for Social Development, and the surveillance,
threats and attacks against its staff and their family members, including a recent
attempted shooting at the daughter of the organisation’s secretary, which appears to
be linked to his work in defence of human rights and his engagement with the UN in
the field of human rights (JAL 11/09/2019 Case no: IND 18/2019).
The report stated that on 28 February 2020 the Special Rapporteur expressed his
concerns in a joint communication to the Government of India (IND 3/2020),

557. Odisha cop to pay Rs 2 lakh for man's illegal detention, Times of India, 20 November
2020, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/odisha-cop-to-pay-rs-2-
lakh-for-mans-illegal-detention/articleshowprint/79323055.cms
Page 186 of 188


concerning the alleged excessive use of force against protestors in the context of
demonstrations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), as well as alleged
arbitrary detention of protesters and undue restrictions to freedom of peaceful
assembly. Beginning early December 2019, mass protests took place throughout the
country against the enactment of the CAA and these protests reportedly led to at
least 50 deaths at the time the communication was sent, many of which allegedly
resulted from the excessive use of force by security forces, including the use of live
ammunition, rubber bullets, batons and large quantities of tear gas to disperse
protesters.
The SR additionally raised concern at reports of attacks on protesters by alleged

sympathisers of political groups, and the alleged failure on the part of authorities to
intervene to ensure a safe environment for protesters to assemble safely, or to take
action against those who instigate violence regardless of their political sympathies.
The Special Rapporteur regretted that no reply from the Government has been
received to date.
Case 2: UN experts urged India to release HRDs

On 26 June 2020, UN experts including Mr. Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment urged India
to immediately release human rights defenders who were arrested for protesting
against changes to the nation’s citizenship laws. “These defenders, many of them
students, appear to have been arrested simply because they exercised their right to
denounce and protest against the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act), and their arrest
seems clearly designed to send a chilling message to India’s vibrant civil society that
criticism of government policies will not be tolerated,” the experts said in a
statement. The experts gave the names of 11 individuals, which included Meeran
Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Safoora Zargar (who was pregnant), Asif Iqbal Tanha,
Devangana Kalita, Natasha Narwal, Khalid Saifi, Shifa Ur Rehman, Dr. Kafeel Khan,
Sharjeel Imam and Akhil Gogoi.558
Case 3: UN experts concerned over detention of protestors and internet
restriction during COVID-19 pandemic in J&K
On 4 August 2020, a group of 18 UN experts including Nils Melzer, Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment urged India to take urgent action to address the alarming human rights
situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a year after India revoked the special status of
Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement, the experts said “If India will not take any
genuine and immediate steps to resolve the situation, meet their obligations to
investigate historic and recent cases of human rights violations and prevent future

558. See OHCHR Press Release, 26 June 2020,
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26002&LangID=
E
Page 187 of 188


violations, then the international community should step up.” The experts expressed
concern that “during the COVID-19 pandemic, many protestors are still in detention
and Internet restrictions remain in place.” The experts also raised concerns with the
Indian government about alleged arbitrary detention and torture and ill-treatment
to which the Government recently replied, as well as the criminalization of journalists
covering the situation and the detention and deteriorating health of a high profile
human rights lawyer. They also raised the issues of the status of the closure of the
Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission, which had been one of the
few ways victims of human rights violations could seek remedy, and the fate of the
ongoing cases the body had been investigating, including hundreds of suspected
enforced disappearances dating from as far back as 1989.559
Case 4: UN High Commissioner appeals India to safeguard rights of HRDs
& NGOs
On 20 October 2020, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet
appealed to the Government of India to safeguard the rights of human rights
defenders and NGOs, and their ability to carry out their crucial work on behalf of the
many groups they represent. Bachelet expressed regret at the tightening of space
for human rights NGOs in particular, including by the application of vaguely worded
laws that constrain NGOs' activities and restrict foreign funding. In September 2020,
the Government of India amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA),
2010.560

559. See OHCHR Press Release, 4 August 2020,
https://www.ohchr.org/SP/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26148&LangID=E
560. See OHCHR Press Release, 20 October 2020,
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26398&LangID=
E
Page 188 of 188

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National Campaign Against Torture

C-3/441, Janakpuri, New Delhi-110058, INDIA

India: Annual Report on Torture 2020

B. Suicides as a result of torture .............................................................................................. 50

C. Torture in custody not resulting to death .......................................................................... 58

2.2. CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF DALITS AND TRIBALS ............................................................. 68

B. Torture, arrest and detention during Covid-19 lockdown ................................................ 84

3. TORTURE IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY .................................................................... 103

B. Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) ........................................................................ 182

C. Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) .......................................................... 182

11. SCRUTINY OF INDIA’S RECORDS BY THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS 186

AFSPA - Armed Forces Special Power Act

In the initial phase of COVID-19 lockdown, Delhi, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Kolkata,

2. TORTURE BY THE POLICE

2.1. INCIDENTS OF TORTURE AND CUSTODIAL DEATH IN 2020

A. Deaths in police custody

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) registered a total of 90 deaths in

Table 1: Deaths in police custody recorded by NCAT during 2020

Sl Name States Reason for Date of

Case 1: Death of Salim Khan due to alleged torture, Karnataka

Case 2: Alleged suicide of Sushanta Ghosh due to alleged torture, Tripura

Case 3: Death of Ramprasad Barui due to alleged torture, West Bengal

Case 4: Death of Babul Sheikh due to alleged torture, West Bengal

Case 5: Suspicious death of Narendra Nayak, Chhattisgarh

Case 6: Suspicious death of Gopal Pachori during illegal detention, Madhya

Case 7: Suspicious death of Thangboi Louvum, Manipur

On 28 January 2020, Thangboi Louvum, an alleged member of the Kuki

Case 8: Alleged suicide of K Mahendiran, a Dalit, Tamil Nadu

Case 9: Death of Amrik Singh due to alleged torture, Himachal Pradesh

On 16 February 2020, Sambasiva Rao died at Magalagiri police station in Guntur

Case 13: Death of Devendra Kushwaha due to alleged torture during

Case 15: Death of Sidhu Koda in police custody, Bihar

Case 16: Alleged suicide of 17-year-old Jigar Ramanbhai Solanki, a Dalit

On 24 February 2020, a 17-year-old Dalit identified as Jigar Ramanbhai Solanki died

Case 17: Alleged suicide of Bodhu Birari due to alleged torture,

Case 19: Death of Deepak Shukla due to alleged torture, Punjab

Case 21: Alleged suicide of Avtar Singh Gill, Madhya Pradesh

Case 23: Death of Vimal Kumar in police custody, Gujarat

Case 24: Suspicious death of Daljeet Singh in police custody, Punjab

Case 25: Death of Dinesh Modi due to alleged torture, Gujarat

Case 26: Death of Imran Shaikh in police custody, Gujarat

On 20 March 2020, Imran @ Ibrahim Shaikh (39 years) died in custody of

Case 28: Alleged suicide of Vikram Kumar in police custody, Bihar

Case 29: Suicide of Dinesh at Ratangarh police station, Rajasthan

Case 31: Death of Munipillappa, a Dalit due to alleged torture, Karnataka

42. NHRC Case No. 379/34/17/2020-PCD

Case 32: Alleged suicide Rupesh Doliya by sefl-inflicting injuries, Gujarat

Case 33: Alleged suicide of Vinu Parmar, Gujarat

Case 35: Death of Ganesh Laxman Dhagle in police custody, Maharashtra

Case 36: Alleged suicide of Srilam Rangaiah, Telangana

Case 37: Death of Pravinbhai in police custody, Gujarat

Case 38: Suspicious death of Baljeet, Haryana

Case 39: Death of Soban Singh due to alleged torture, Uttarakhand

Case 40: Alleged suicide of a 21-year-old youth, Haryana

On 4 June 2020, a 21-year-old youth died under suspicious circumstances at Crime

Case 41: Death of Mithai Lal in police custody, Uttar Pradesh

Case 42: Death of Mahendran after brutal torture at Sathankulam police

Case 43: Alleged suicide of Rinku, Haryana

Case 44: Alleged tortured to death of Jayanta Bora, Assam