AHRC recommends action against two policemen for ill-treating

The Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has found two policemen guilty of ill-treating an additional deputy commissioner of Jorhat district after his arrest in a corruption case in 2017 and recommended initiation of disciplinary proceedings against them. The full bench of the AHRC headed by Justice T Vaiphei has found that Bubul Lekharu's human rights were violated by Sankar Bania and Tuniram Neog, who were sub-inspectors posted at Jorhat police station when he was arrested on May 14, 2017.

The AHRC called for departmental enquiry against both the sub-inspectors for their punishment in accordance with the law, a statement issued by the Commission said on Tuesday. In a complaint with the AHRC, Lekharu's wife had charged the two with violating his human rights.

Though he had health issues like piles, high blood pressure, back pain and stomach pain, Lekharu was not taken to hospital on May 17 that year on the ground that there was no vehicle, his wife Sangita Buragohain Lekharu said in the complaint. After his arrest without any warrant or holding any preliminary investigation, he was made to sit in a chair for hours depriving of sleep, she had alleged.

Use of torture, harassment or brute force has no place in a country governed by the rule of law and a person in custody has to be treated with dignity, observed the AHRC. Lekharu was charged with diverting funds meant for two children who had lost their parents.