Allegation Of Human Right Violation By UP Police During Anti-CAA Protests: NHRC Issues Notice To UP DGP

The National Human Rights Commission today issued notice to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a report within 4 weeks with regard to the alleged violation of human rights by State Authorities post the passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

As per the complaint, the State of Uttar Pradesh has violated the rights of people to assemble peacefully by the imposition of a blanket Section 144 of the CrPC and an internet ban to brutally muzzle protests against the CAA 2019.

The complaint states that the death of more than two dozen people within a period of two days is a matter of serious concern. Additionally, media reports portray a grimmer nature of the situation with videos showing the UP Police destroying public property and committing excess abuse of power in the state, particularly in districts of Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Lucknow, Meerut, Kanpur, Varanasi, Sambhal, Ferozabad, Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Deoband, Shamli, Hapur etc.

The complaint prays for initiation of immediate inquiry under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993; dispatch of duly-empowered officers to districts of Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Lucknow for a factual assessment on the ground; and for the UP Police and Administration to provide an explanation regarding the reported excesses of authority.

The complaint, filed by Advocates Shadan Farasat, Nanita Sharma, Ajay Singh and Pyoli Swatija, as well as a law student Shrey Sinha, seeks immediate intervention of the NHRC as the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court are presently on vacation.

The NHRC Order took cognizance of the complaint as well as acknowledged that other complaints of the same manner received have also been taken on record. The matter is now listed on 31.01.2020 for Preliminary Consideration.