Allegations Of Gang-Rape Of Woman In Lock-Up By 5 Policemen: NHRC Takes Cognizance And Issues Notices To MP Govt, DGP & Prison Chief

The Commission has directed the Authorities that the matter may be investigated by a senior police officer, not below the rank of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

"It is mentioned in the report that a 20-year-old woman has levelled allegations that she was kept in a lock-up for 10 days in the month of May this year and was subjected to rape by five police personnel, including the Police Station Incharge and SDPO of Mangawan area of Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh," the statement released by the NHRC notes.

Allegedly, the incident occurred in the month of May and 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 NHRC said in a statement, quoting reports.

"As alleged by the victim woman, she was subjected to rape between May 9-21 while the police contradict. The female constable had protested at that time but she was rebuked by her seniors," the statement released by the NHRC noted, quoting reports.

Lastly, the Commission in its press release has stated that,

"The Commission considered the vulnerable position of the victim. She was in police custody when she was allegedly subjected to utmost cruelty and sexual assault by the 5 police personnel. Even a protest made by a female police official went in vain. Very serious allegations have been levelled by the victim woman. Public servants from the law enforcement agencies, who are supposed to safeguard the citizens especially the women and the people from the vulnerable classes of the society have allegedly committed the heinous crime against a woman in their custody."

Notably, in another statement issued by the NHRC, the Commission has informed that notices to Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Director-General of Prisons, Madhya Pradesh have been issued after the Commission took suo motu cognisance of alleged "prison inmates' rights violation and inhuman behaviour" and has sought a detailed report from the Authorities.

"A detailed report in the matter including the present health status of all the SIMI prisoners and their medical treatment records, within 4 weeks", the Commission has stated.

The statement issued by the Commission mentions this fact that,

"Six members of the banned students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) had begun a hunger strike inside the Central Jail, Bhopal a week ago and now they have been shifted to the jail hospital. The prisoners who are found guilty of sedition, collecting arms and waging war against the government have been sentenced for life imprisonment in the years 2017 and 2018 by different courts including the NIA and CBI Special Courts. Apart from the present proceedings going on in the existing case, the Commission takes cognizance of the recent development with regard to the grievance of the prisoners and their health conditions. 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. The news report has revealed that all of them are demanding better food, exemption from regular frisking and freedom from the high-security block."

Lastly, the press release of the Commission states that,

"The Commission would like to mention here that amid spread of Covid-19 there had been a significant increase in the case of coronavirus amongst the inmates lodged in the jails, across the country. Hence, 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 WHO and ICMR."