Thursday, December 28, 2017

Criminal case against police in case of trafficking



Life took a serious turn for 15 years old Radha (name changed), when her relatives sold her to a brick kiln owner in Kerakat town in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh on January, 2012. Radha was sexually abused by the brick kiln owner Baju Yadav for more than two months. Radha is a resident of Chakradharpur in Singhbhum district, Jharkhand state of India.

I was with my family when a woman called Shanti visited us and told me to come with her. She was from the same village so I trusted her. She said she was going to take me to a fair. But this woman had tricked me and forced me to go to the brick kiln factory. There I had to work for the owner, doing his cooking and cleaning, and also massage him. Two days after I arrived he forced himself on me. He used to give me a tablet, then he would force himself on me. My room was next to where the owner worked and every time he wanted me, he would come to my room. He would come two or three times a day. I told that woman Shanti that I didn't like it, and she said that “If you tell anyone, the owner will kill you.” One day I opposed it, and the owner beat me up brutally. I was so scared. The brick kiln owner was in his sixties, had no teeth, used to drink a lot, and force me to drink alcohol as well. When I refused, he used to hit me. I'm still in pain from the rapes.

When Radha reported her ordeal to Shanti Devi, she rebuked Radha and warned against reporting the incident to anyone else. Shanti Devi has been working at Baju Yadav’s brick kiln for the past seven years  and also have illicit relation with him.
 Unable to bear the trauma, on 20 March, 2017 Radha somehow managed to flee from Baju’s brick kiln and reached her relatives ‘s house Palu Devi living in the same village.
The Baiju Yadav started to frantically search Radha in each and every possible location. He suspected that the villagers had a role in Radha’s fleeing from his brick kiln. The next day around 8pm, Battan Musahar was allegedly thrown out of a tractor – trolley by Baju Yadav’s Battan was sitting atop the engine and he died on spot. The villagers were returning home after shopping at the local market.
Battan Musahar‘s death was reported in the local media.  Following the news reporting PVCHR Founder and CEO Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi intervened in this matter to concerned authorities.
During the investigation into the Musahar’s death that PVCHR came to know about Radha.   She was hiding at her relative Palu Devi’s residence.  PVCHR helped Radha and Paulo Devi family to flee from hiding place.  To ensure safety of the girl and those of her relatives, they had short shelter in PVCHR office.  The matter was intervened to various concerned authorities as follows
Date
Letter sent to
24 March, 2012
National Commission for Women, New Delhi, National Schedule Caste Commission, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, SHO- Kerakat, District Magistrate Jaunpur, Superintendent of Police - Jaunpur
27 March, 2012
Radha got treatment in private hospital in Varanasi
27 March, 2012 
Commissioner of Varanasi and Police Superintendent of Varanasi
28 March, 2012
Radha was produced before CWC in Varanasi

CWC ordered to Chief Medical Officer, Varanasi for the medico – legal test

On same day MLC of Radha was done in Shiv Prasad Gupt Mahila hospital.
25 March, 2012
NHRC notice to  Superintendent of police jaunpur notice
14 April, 2012 
Chief Secretary – Uttar Pradesh Government – Lucknow and Jharkhand, Superintendent of Police – Jaunpur,  Director General of Police,  Chief Minister- Jharkhand, District Magistrate- Varanasi, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, National Schedule Caste Commission, National Human Rights Commission, Senior Superintendent of Police,  Chief Medical Officer- Varanasi, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and District Magistrate – Jaunpur.
27 April, 2012
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights sent it investigation report.
14 April, 2012
Police superintendent of Jaunpur issued notice to PVCHR
30 August, 2012
D.M Jaunpur issued notice to CMO, Janupur
31-8-2012
National Schedule Caste Commission issued notice to Jaunpur.
16 August, 2012
RTI- CMO, DM, SSP, Chief Secretary- Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, DM- Varanasi,  Superintendent of police, National Schedule Caste Commission, National Commission for Protection of child rights,  DGP- Lucknow,
24 August,2012

From the Cabinet Secretariat and Coordination Department


Principal Secretary Home Department's Public Information Officer
3 October,2012
National Human Rights Commission  
08-September-2012
 Through RTI received report from P.S Kerakat- Jaunpur
22 September,2012
Director General of Police- Uttar Pradesh and CO – Jaunpur
31-September-2012
The National Commission for the schedule caste issued notice to DM.
03-September-2012
Received response from National Commission for the schedule caste on RTI.
25 September, 2012
Received response from superintendent of police - Jaunpur
25-March-2012
Statement of Radha
3 October,2012
DM- Janupur and Jahrkhand,
22 October,2012
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
14-April-2012
Notice from Chief Secretary – Uttar Pradesh
21-September-2012
Received response from National Commission for Protection of Child Rights through RTI
09-जुलाई,2012 
Received response from National Human Rights Commission through RTI
17-10-2013  
NHRC, NCW, Ministry of home affairs- Government of India, National Schedule Caste Commission,  CM- Jharkhand and DGP- Jharkhand and state police administration
17 October, 2013
Statement of Saluka  
3 October,2013
National Human Rights Commission
22 September ,2012
Director General of Police
22 September, 2012
C.O Jaunpur
16 October, 2012
Radha produced before the CWC for giving her statement

Radha, in her interview to human rights watch for the report Breaking the silence Child Sexual abuse in India on says that an improperly conducted medical examination in Varanasi after she was repeatedly raped in February and March 2012 is impeding her legal case. They took her to the police and to a hospital, where a doctor carried out a medico-legal “two-finger test.”

On the basis of this degrading and unscientific test, the doctor stated that Radha had not been raped. As a result, the police have refused to listen to her complaint and investigate the man she said had raped her repeatedly.

Radha, with the support of PVCHR, is challenged the doctor's findings. In September 2012 the police in her home district in Jharkhand agreed that Radha’s testimony could form the basis of a charge against her alleged assailant.  After intervention FIR was lodged against Shanti Jamuda (ii) Baiju Yadav in crime no. 135/2012 u/s 372/ 374/376/34 IPC and 3(3)(6) SC/ST Act against Shanti Jamuda (ii) Baiju Yadav.  The case after investigation had been submitted to the court for trial. A case u/s 304A IPC was registered at crime no. 136/2012 at PS Kairakat on 21.03.2012 against Bejnath, Rajmath, Gulab and Dinesh. In which charge sheet was submitted on 09.05.2012 and the matter is sub judice in court The IGP Varanasi had submitted report to NHRC dated 20.02.2017. DIG Zone got the enquiry conducted through SP Jaunpur and Additional SP Rural report had been submitted. According to the report, there are allegations that Ms. Radha Jamuda d/o Saluda was kept bonded by brick kiln owner Baiju Yadav. She was sexually exploitated. However these allegations were over looked by SI Sabhajeet Singh, HC Satya Dev Srivastava and Gurdip Singh Sarna, the then Inspector Kherakat. Km. Radha was not examined, they tried to conceal the offence and committed breach of duty. The enquiry officer found HC Satya Dev Srivastava, SI Sabhajeet Singh and Inspector Gurdip Singh Sarna guilty of delriction of duty and for not registering the case under the relevant provision of law and case under 166A IPC had been registered against the police officers. Commission had considered the report. There are facts in the report dated 20.02.2017 submitted by IGP Varanasi report dated 20.02.2017 that a complaint was lodged by Surender s/o Sehli r/o Triyani, PS Kairakat, District Jaunpur, regarding the death of his son Bunti in accident of tractor on 21.03.2012 and case no. 136.2012 u/s 304A IPC was registered against the Bejnath, Rajmath, Gulab and Dinesh in which charge sheet was submitted. On the report of Additional SP Jaunpur, the same is under reinvestigation u/s 173(8) Cr.P.C. Commission has considered the report of IGP Varanasi. The complainant allegation are in respect of sexual exploitation of Km. Radha d/o Saluka Jamuda r/o West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand by brick kiln owner Mr. Baiju Yadav. How the case instituted on the report of Surender against Bejnath and others is connected with the complaint in question, needs clarification. Commission directs IGP Varanasi Zone to submit the typed legible duly authenticated copy of FIR of crime no. 136/2012 u/s 304A IPC instituted at PS Kairakot, Jaunpur and the chargesheet filed in that case to this Commission urgently through special messenger in sealed cover within two weeks.

The Hon’ble Member in the Case No. 8542/24/39/2012 has directed on 3.11.2017 as under : - “Case Crime No.429/17 under section 166A IPC has been registered against Gurdeep Singh Sarna, the then SHO Kerakat, Jaunpur, SI Sabhajeet Singh and Chief Constable Satyadev Srivastava which is under investigation and directions have been issued to conclude the same on merits expeditiously. It is stated that in case of the victim of rape Radha case crime No.135/12 u/s 372/374/376/34 IPC r/w Section 3(3)(6) SC/ST Act has been filed against Shanti Jamuda w/o late Godo Jamuda and Baiju Yadav s/o Sahdev Yadav. After the investigation, charge sheet has been filed in the court. Vide report dated 12.9.2017 it has been stated that 25% of Rs. 1,00,000/- (compensation under SC/ST(PoA) Act) has been paid to the victim vide cheque No.581748 dated 16.8.2017. The Commission has taken a very serious view of the matter. Despite the directions by the Commission to pay a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- vide its proceedings dated 26.12.2016 no proof of payment has been received till date. Let a reminder be issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of UP to pay a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- on account of compensation to the victim Radha and submit the proof of payment within four weeks. The Chief Secretary, UP be also asked to submit as to i) why the compensation as provided under rule 11 & 12 of the SC/ST (POA) Act amounting to Rs. 1,80,000/- (50% of the amount to be paid at the time of medical examination) has not been paid. ii) why compensation under rule 21 of the SC/ST (POA) Act (full cost of education and maintenance of the child, provision of utensils, rice, etc. for three months) has not been paid to the victim. He is also directed to send The progress of Enquiry dated 15.11.2013 against the erring official, pending before the administration and status of investigation of Case Crime No.429/17 within four weeks.” The Commission perused the record and observed that in Case No. 8542/24/39/2012 monetary compensation has already been recommended by the Commission. Therefore, there is no justification for continuing with this case i.e. Case No. 1405/34/18/2013-WC. Therefore, the case No. 1405/34/18/2013-WC is closed.

Dr. Lenin says, It is a clear case of failure of criminal justice system and mechanism for elimination of trafficking and rape. Hegemonic masculinity based on patriarchy and caste system is haunting society and contributing for negative conflict, impunity and injustice.

Monday, October 30, 2017

“ENDING TORTURE: COLLECTIVE CONCERN”

Restoring and respecting five values- federalism, diversity, pluralism, human dignity and inclusiveness- are vital for peaceful society. And human rights and rule of law are essential instrument to realize all these values giving win-win situation to all.[i] Stopping torture is the first step towards improving human rights in general. Torture[ii] has been called ‘the mother of all human rights violations’. As long as a country practices or tolerates torture, people will be reluctant to speak, assemble and participate in the political life. So elimination of torture is elimination of locust effect of fear and phobia, which is main foundation of sustainable peace with justice.

PVCHR welcomes recommendation of Law commission of India[iii] and recent judgement of honourable Supreme Court. The Law Commission of India finally recommends the ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and the passing of a stand alone criminal law to prevent torture respecting the tenets of the UN CAT. On the other hand, ratification of the UN convention and framing of an enabling legislation could simplify the extradition process for the government. The absence of a standalone law prohibiting torture in India makes it difficult for the government to extradite criminals. A case in point is the recent refusal of a Danish court to facilitate the extradition of Purulia arms drop case accused Kim Davy on the grounds that he might face torture at the hands of the Indian police. In fact, the apex court had precisely made the same point while asking the government to consider framing a law against torture and custodial violence. “India faces problems in extradition of criminals from foreign countries because of this (having no law against torture),” the SC said in April.

The court’s observations came while hearing a PIL filed by former Law Minister Ashwini Kumar who argued that despite being a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, India had not ratified it because that would mean framing an enabling legislation on preventing custodial torture.

No other human acts can be so degrading as the act of torture; no other human instincts can be as repulsive and repugnant as idea of torturing someone, whosoever the culprit, government or a person. Stigma on the modern civilization, the practice of torture is widely prevalent among modern states up to the extent, where it seems, torture has been legalized. Torture dehumanizes a person to the level where ones faith is shaken in society. In addition, the effect of torture percolates, through the survivor of torture, in deep fabric of society, affecting people and communities.

 A torture victim may deal the impact of torture in various ways; immediate impact of torture may benumbs the sense of victims, deeply affecting physical and psychological layers of the personality. In most cases, torture victims suffer from, to certain degree, psychological or physical harm. Exposure to extreme traumatic experiences not only affects the victims but also has profound impact on their family, the community, and the nation. Torture may alter personal feeling, beliefs, and judgment. However the cumulative effects of torture extend to the whole society, impacting generations to come. Various studies have proved that torture has lasting impact of fear, feeling of helplessness, loss of control, and anxiety.

Apart from the visible wounds, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can emerge after to a traumatic events. The defining characteristic of a traumatic event is its capacity to provoke a feeling of fear, horror, and helplessness in response to a threat of injury or death. Whether, physical torture or mild form of psychological torture, equally leave the lasting impact on the wellbeing on the torture victim. The torture victim is in essence de-humanized, striped of their dignity and self worth. This de-humanization manifests into various forms such as sexual humiliation, desecration (especially religion), and feral treatment (such as forcing victim to act as animal).

Torture is not restricted to an isolated event, as conditions of detention and repeated acts of cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment can meet the threshold of torture as outlined in the United Nations Convention against Torture (1984). This  include forced starvation, prolonged solitary confinement, repeated denial of basic medical health care, and custodial violence such as rape or being stripped naked.

In Indian context, torture in police custody is widely prevalent; include beating, use of third degree methods, verbal abuse and humiliation in public.  Alarming rate of torture cases has shaken the Indian civil society. Numerous cases of torture have been documented and highlighted by the People Vigilance Commission on Human Rights (PVCHR). Nonetheless, PVCHR has taken the vital steps to combat the menace of torture particularly 'police-torture'. Remarkably, PVCHR, not only doing advocacy against police torture, but also, has lead 'anti-torture initiatives and campaigned on torture free society.

In its unique endeavor to provide a heeling hand to torture survivor, PVCHR is involved in a pilot project 'to improve psychological wellbeing among survivors of torture in India (Torture 2009 vol.19). Last but not the least; PHCVR has convened a National Consultation on (12-13 July 2012, New Delhi) 'Testimonial campaign which contributes to eliminate impunity for perpetrators of torture in India.' This is an organized effort of PVCHR to propagate the importance of testimonial therapy as a psycho legal support to the victims of torture.
However, high number of recorded cases of torture seeks more attention and consistent vigilance from local Civil Society. Furthermore, commitment to protect dignity of ordinary person must be a topmost priority of government. There is no justification, legal or moral, can be made to support the practice of torture.

However, there is still some hope to combat practices of torture by various stakeholders. In July 2014, the Supreme Court directed state governments to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in all prisons within two years to prevent torture and other violations of prisoners’ rights, and to consider installing them in all police stations. Also in July 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed that the government was considering amending the Penal Code to specifically recognize torture as a crime. In addition, vibrant Indian civil society has exerted a tremendous amount of efforts to convince Indian government to rectify CAT and speedy hearing for under trials.iv]  

However, despite the existing legal safeguards, widespread use of torture is continuing in India. Torture remains endemic, institutionalized and central to the administration of justice.The Government of India will now act as it promised at the UPR3 India [ 4th May , 2017 ].[v] It is noted that chairperson of national Human Rights Commission (NHRC) appealed to Government of India for ratification of UNCAT.[vi] 

 Analysis of the individual cases of torture handled by PVCHR illustrates the critical failings in a dysfunctional public justice system in India. Prison conditions in India are appalling with all the known symptoms of poor correctional systems. There is no unified correctional system in India but many different systems in the individual states. The biggest problems are found in the prisons. In many ways PVCHR has made similar findings and analysis as in The ‘Locust Effect’.[vii] 

Post 9/11, India has seen increasing discrimination and communal attacks against Muslim and Madrasa schools. Muslim areas are often target of anti-terror campaigns. 54% of prisoners in Indian prisons are Muslims and 28% are Dalits. Right wing Hindu fascists orchestrate planned communal riots, such as in Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh). The attacks on Muslims are frequent and the consequences are destruction of livelihood – a paradox as Muslims constitute the backbone of Indian small scale industry. PVCHR has been able to document the role of police in attacks on Muslims. Ultimo 2013 PVCHR completed the EU funded project ‘Police Torture against Muslim Minorities’. The project documented severe human rights violations and the general socio-economic deprivation of Muslim communities. In last initiative organized an interface meeting with the Parliamentarian, policy makers and political parties on the issue of Muslim minority in Uttar Pradesh were held on December 9, 2013[viii].

It is time to rejoice by many of us in the country, all human rights organizations and many platforms and collectives, who have tirelessly worked asking for the ratification of CAT[ix].

Practice of torture must be eliminated to restore the dignity of humanity. No society and government can claim to be civilized, democratic and peaceful, if practice of torture allowed. Conflict inside any nation-state is responsible for creating conflict with neighbouring countries. So we need to work on grassroots level for elimination of locust effect of torture and hegemonic masculinity based organized violence [x] .In this context, India should be join process for torture and organized violence free world.

Written By Lenin Raghuvanshi (http://leninraghuvanshi.com/)




Saturday, October 28, 2017

The DM, Madurai be further directed to submit a report showing the steps taken by him for the permanent rehabilitation of the bonded labourers



Case Details of File Number: 331/22/0/2014-cl
Diary Number
1617/JR
Name of the Complainant
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI, SECRETARY GENERAL
Address
PVCHR COMMUNCATION,

VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
Name of the Victim
FOUR CHILD LABOURERS RELEASED FROM BONDAGE
Address
AVANIAPURAM NEAR USILAMPATTI,

TAMILNADU , TAMIL NADU
Place of Incident
ENNORE

TAMILNADU , TAMIL NADU
Date of Incident
Not Mentioned
Direction issued by the Commission
These proceedings should be read in continuation of the earlier proceedings of the Commission dated 29.8.2016. In response to the conditional summons vide proceedings dated 29.8.2016, the DM, Madurai vide communication dated 22.10.2016 intimated that all the three child labourers of Madurai District were paid their rehabilitation assistance of Rs. 19,000/- each (acknowledgment of receipts enclosed). The Commission carefully considered the contents of the report dated 22.10.2016. The DM, Madurai be further directed to submit a report showing the steps taken by him for the permanent rehabilitation of the bonded labourers as per the provisions of Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. No response was received from the DM, Dindigul. Let non-conditional summons be issued to him to appear before the Commission in person on 17.3.2017 along with the required report and explain the delay.
Action Taken
Additional Information Called for (Dated 1/5/2017 )
Status on 10/28/2017
Response from concerned authority is awaited.


 
 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Oct 28, 2017 10:08 AM
Subject: Direction Issued by NHRC for Case No.-331/22/0/2014-cl
To: <cfr.pvchr@gmail.com>
Cc:

The NHRC has issued direction on Case No.-331/22/0/2014-cl. For more details visit NHRC website www.nhrc.nic.in on next working day