'The local police had not listened to us, therefore out of fear we did not go to the police station'

 'The local police had not listened to us, therefore out of fear we did not go to the police station'

 

My name is Ban Devi. I am 36 years old. My husband is Rakesh. I belong to Ghasiya (Scheduled Tribe) caste. I am uneducated; I work as a daily wage worker.

 

The date was January 22, 2021. I was coming back home from Banaras with ten laborers after working. My sister Jasmine was also with me. As I reached near to Mayorpur police station. I saw that goons Vinod and Baba's sons Jagpath Yadav were working on my land with many laborers. Seeing the work being done on my land, I stopped there with my sister. At that time it was half past seven in the evening. I told those people that “this is my land and they should stop their work. I have registered you fifteen feet of land adjacent to it. That's yours.” On hearing this, both the brothers present on the spot started swearing at us using casteist remarks. Before I could say something, those people pushed me and my sister Jasmine on the ground and started beating us badly with sticks. Somehow escaping from them, I called the police number 112 and asked for help.

 

But the police did not come to the spot. The bullies called the local police station. Four to five policemen came. We were crying and asking for help. But those people did not listen to me. In front of them, the bullies pulled my sister's and my sari. Vinod Yadav tore my blouse and snatched forty thousand rupees of laborers and my Nokia mobile. I kept telling them that “this is not our money, it is the hard earned money of the laborers, give it back.” But he did not listen to one.

 

Being helpless in the same condition, we started to go back home home crying. There were injuries all over our back, legs and body. Somehow both of us reached home. We kept moaning in pain all night long. In the morning, we- both the sisters - went to the Myorpur Primary Health Center for medicine and medical check-up. The doctor told us to bring the police, then only there will be a medical examination and treatment. The local police did not listen to us, because of this we did not go to the police station out of fear. I have appealed to IG sir, DIG and SP sir for help in this regard. On which the SP said, “we have sent it to the CO sahib for investigation. Get your treatment and medical check-up done from the district hospital. A red slip was found from there.”

 

At the same time,the  SP had said that the construction work on my land would stop. But the work did not stop, the work continued day and night. We went to the district hospital for medical and treatment. The doctor asked us for six thousand rupees. We said “sir, we are poor dalit women. we work for our stomach by working. From where will you get so much money?” The doctor did not listen to me and scolded me and drove me away. Till now there has been no statement from the CO. Nobody is listening to our complaints.

 

The whole body still aches due to the beatings of the bullies. Afraid to go anywhere whenever I sleep, the whole incident appears in front of my eyes and I wake up in panic. Whatever they did to me is wrong. I am sorry that till date we have not been heard.

 

I want that strictest action should be taken against the accused so that I get justice.

"As soon as it came to know that the police has imposed gangster act on me, my whole body became numb."

 

My name is Rambali age-28 years, by my policemen by implicating me in a fake case. My father's name is Ramsakhi, I am a native of Village-Hinduwari, Post-Tendu, Thana-Kolwali, Rawartsganj, Block-Rastarsganj, Tehsil-Rawtersganj, District-Sonbhadra. I am a chamar (SC) by caste. I have studied till class 8. I don't have any children. I have a wife and parents. I work as a laborer and a driver to take care of my family.

 

On the incident date 9th December 2018 we were sleeping in our house.   At 10 o'clock, Monday night 4 policemen suddenly entered my house. When I woke up, 2 policemen in plain clothes, said that let's do some inquiry at the police station. My mother asked them what was the matter. When I came outside 10-12 people standing outside the house, I got very scared.  My mother was asking them about the reason they wanted to take me away. The policemen said that after questioning them, they will let me go. My mother and wife kept crying loudly. They followed us and saw that there were  4 police vehicles: in which there was the S.O. Saheb, a Karma police car, Shahganj police, and the car of Rawatersganj Kotwali. The police of Karma police station made me sit with them. There were 4 policemen in it and the S.O. said that they will leave me after questioning. 

But I was taken to the police station and put in the lockup. After one hour, the SO sahib in plain dress and 4 policemen started beating me with hands and kicks. I was thinking whether it was my fault. The policemen kept beating and asking me to tell them at which places I have stolen. I said that "sir, I have not committed any theft." The policemen at the Karma police station kept hitting and harassing me in the police station for 2 days. They kept saying that I was a thief. I was constantly worried about my mother and wife. For two days we did not eat or drink anything.

 

On the third day, December 11, 2018, at 11 o'clock in the day, I was taken to the outpost Churk. There also I was beaten up.  The policemen said that they would kill me by giving me electric shocks.  I was afraid for my life and safety. I could not understand anything. I told them that I had not committed any theft.  I  said that I was a driver for hire and that I used to drive from Bombay for 3 days. But the policemen did not hear anything and brought us to the Kotwali Rawtersganj. Whenever any of my family members used to go there, they used to swear at them and drive them away.

 

The policemen were beating there with abusive language and sticks and they were saying that we have done theft only. The SHO also verbally abused us. The toilet in the lockup was unclean and smelled bad.  The lady police were beating and abusing my mother in front of me. My mother went outside the gate crying. My medical examination was done at the District Hospital Lodhi Medical from Kotwali on December 13, 2018, between 11 and 12 o'clock during the day. At that time, I was not able to walk on foot, but I did not get any medicine. I was given an injection. It gave me some relief.  Then I was taken to the Rawatersganj court. After seeing my wife and mother, I could not stop my tears. 

The policemen took me to the judge, but there I was not asked anything. At 5 pm, I was taken out of the court and sent to Gurma district jail. There I was only thinking about what will happen to my old parents. I could not sleep in the night. I had to clean the floors and the toilet.  I kept sitting and crying. My mother came to visit me sometimes. The policemen were taking 200 to 300 rupees bribe to let her meet me. I was in jail for 28 days. When I came out, my wife hugged me and started crying. I started living in my house.

 

After a week, the police from the Rawatersganj came and arrested me with the help of an informer. I was told that a gangster act has been imposed on me. Hearing this, my body became numb. Six policemen surrounded me and started beating me. Then they took me to the outpost Rawtersganj. The next day we were taken to Tehsil Rawtersganj, from there I was sent to the Gumra jail. I was kept in jail for 45 days. I got bail by selling my mother's farm and mortgaging my wife's jewellery. We are poor Dalits. I was jailed for 73 days, which has made me miserable. I am scared of the police right now. As soon as I see the police, I hide and start to panic thinking that the policemen should not send them to jail.

We are not able to do some work. The villagers look at me as I am a thief. I do not go anywhere outside the house, we feel the power in our body by telling our story. It helps me feel better. God help me

Legal action should be taken for the guilty policemen

"My son has been sent to jail by the police again"

 

"My son has been sent to jail by the police again"

My name is Piyari age-55 years, wife of Ramsakhi, I am a resident of Village-Hinduari, Post- Tendu, Thana-Kotwali, Rawartsganj, District-Sonbhadra. I have two sons and one daughter. They are married. I work as a laborer. This kind of incident has happened for the first time in my life. At this time my whole family was shattered. On 9th December 2018, we were sleeping in our house. At 1 am some policemen broke the door and entered our house. 

When I heard my daughter-in-law crying, I got up.  I saw that four policemen were taking my younger son away. I asked them, "Sir, what is the matter? Why are you taking my son?" The policeman said that they are taking him to the Karma police station for interrogation. My family kept crying after the policemen. Outside the house, there were about 10-12 policemen, which made everyone in the family very scared.  I followed the policemen to a distance to see where they were taking my son. I saw four more policemen.  I asked them about the police station they were from. The police officer told me that they were from the SOG. They put my son into the police car and took him to the Karma police station. The SO of the police station told me that my son would be released after interrogation. But when my son did not return the next morning, I went to Robertsganj Police Station. I didn't find my son there.

 

I started panicking, then a policeman told me to go to Karma police station to understand the whole situation. I took an auto to go there. There, I asked a policeman about my son's whereabouts. He told me that they have beaten the thief a lot in the night. Our request to meet my son was denied by the police. I kept waiting for an hour for the senior officer to appear at the station. When he came, I asked him, "Sir, you had told me that my son will return home after interrogation. Where is he?" He responded that I had given birth to a thief and if I did not leave, he would break my bones. 

I got scared after hearing this. Unable to understand what was happening, I requested the police to let me meet my son for two minutes. After seeing my son in the lock-up, I became speechless. He told me that he was beaten up in the night and is being implicated in the theft. My husband started pleading with folded hands to the SO of the police station, "Sir, I am a driver. By driving a car, I run the expenses of my parents and wife."

Hearing this, the policemen said that they have to present him in front of the SP for interrogation. We the Kotwali Ravartasganj from the Churk post. From there we went to the Kotwali Rawartsganj to meet our son. There, were abused and driven away. After some time I went again to meet our son, the Kotwal sahib abused and called the lady police to beat me up and push me out.

In my village, people still look at us, as if we were a family of thieves. It hurts a lot to hear what they are thinking about my son, I can't sleep throughout the night. I keep worrying about my son day and night. In what condition my son will be? how many policemen will beat him? All these thoughts keep suffocating me. I feel light by telling my story.

"SHO Ram Narayan Pasi is threatening me even today, that if you plead, then you will also be in the same condition as Shivam."

 My name is Umapati. I am 60 years old.  My father is Baijnath. I am government teacher by profession. I had three sons but only two alive now. I am a native of Village-Sajor, Post-Ravartasganj, district-Sonbhadra.

 

The incident is of 27 August 2019. It was 6:30 in the evening. I was watching TV at home. Then my village head’s husband and Kura outpost in-charge Robertsganj came in a Bolero car. He said that your son Shivam's health is bad. After hearing this, I immediately went with them. We had not even reached the district hospital Lodhi, when on the way the outpost in-charge told that your son Shivam had died. I was stunned after listening to this. I didn't understand anything. I reached the hospital with those people. My child was lying dead. I fainted on seeing him like this.

 

My family members and villagers came to know about Shivam’s death.  Many people came forward to help me. My wife fainted on seeing the son's body. Ram Narayan Pasi, SHO of Pannuganj police station and other police personnel are responsible for the death of my son. They brutally beat and tortured my son to force him to confess the crime. Because of which my son died in the police station. Panic spread in the entire village due to this incident. I filed a report against the Pannuganj police station head and his associate constable under section 302, 506 of the IPC. The post mortem of my son's body was done. The body was found after the post-mortem on the second day. After which I performed the last rites of my son in Varanasi.

 

 It was a very sad time for me. My son Shivam was 28 years old. He used to look after the farming of the household. I used to teach in school, because of this I could not devote much time to farming. That day my elder son Ravi Shankar had gone to Pannuganj police station. He asked the station head “Sir, what is the crime of my brother? Under which section have you arrested him? When will you release him?” On this, the SHO said that he would inquire about it “Don't worry, whatever happens with this will be good. I'll bring it home myself and leave it.” Ravi Shanker gave breakfast and trusting the SHO, he came home at five o'clock.

 

After the arrival of the son, the police of Pannuganj police station beat him badly to make my Shivam forcefully confess the crime. Due to which he died. After that the police station chief Ramnarayan Pasi and his associate constable brought him to the private health centre Tiara. From there he was taken to the district hospital. After that the police came to our house. When we reached there, the police of Police Station Pannuganj was removed from there. A large number of police forces were deployed in the hospital so that we can't resist. Both the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police Sonbhadra reached. Seeing the dead body, the District Magistrate said that there has been negligence in this incident. When the media persons asked the inspector, he said that Shivam has hanged himself from the lower bar.

 

I was very sorry to hear from the police. The police was making false statements to protect themselves. My son was not alone in the police station, how can he hang himself in the presence of the police? In order to stop me from taking any action, the police went with me to Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi. The force remained there until the body was badly burnt.

 

Today my young son is gone because of the police. My wife still weeps remembering her son. After the passing of our child, my whole family was torn apart.

 

I am wandering from door to door to get justice for my child. But the administration is not listening to me. No legal action has been taken against those who are responsible for the death of my child. SHO Ram Narayan Pasi is threatening me even today that if you plead, then your condition will also be like Shivam. I am scared of this threat. The hope of getting justice is running out.

 

 I want that my deceased son gets justice so that such incident does not happen again in future.

"The police did not see our serious condition, on the contrary, accused us"

 

"The police did not see our serious condition, on the contrary, accused us"

My name is Ramasare. I am 27 years old. I am married. I am my father. I have four children. My one daughter is physically and mentally unwell. I belong to the Musahar caste and work in a brick kiln. I am a native of village-Sikanderpur, Thana-Shivpur, District-Varanasi.

 

I can never forget this incident in my life. This is from 11th May 2020. I was making bricks at Sarju Marka brick kiln of Jalhupur. My wife Renu said that she wanted to go to her house in Siswa, as she had sought a vow for my younger daughter Karishma in Pandey Baba's temple. After listening to the wife's words, I agreed to go with her. I went to my in-laws' house with my family. After taking a rest for some time, I took garlands and sweets for offering in the temple. Then, I started going to Pandeybaba's temple with wife and child. At that time, Ramesh Mama of Basti was also with us.

 

Between three to four o'clock, I reached near the temple. There I met my brother-in-law Chandan and uncle Guddu. They were quarantined in the same nearby government school. They were coming from the pond after defecating. In view of the corona disease, we were maintaining a physical distance. Then Mintu Pandey of the village came along with his five or six companions. He was swearing at us. He said, "how dare you Mushars come to the temple premises and touch the hand pump?" Chandan said that he was thirsty and drank water, on this Mintu Pandey got furious and said, " you are talking back to me, you are a Mushahar. 

Saying this, he picked up a brick and hit me with it.  It came on my nose and mouth. It felt like a bad concussion. Blood started pouring out of my nose like a fountain. I was about to be unconscious. Seeing my condition, my wife started screaming. We started running to save our lives. Then those people grabbed me and hit me on my chest. Blood started coming from my mouth, I fell on the ground and fainted. What happened after that, I do not know. I came to my senses after about four to five hours. I was at home at that time. My in-laws were standing all around. My wife was crying. I didn't have enough courage to say something. All the strength of the body was snatched away. At that time I was lying on the bed like a cripple. I had never thought that we would be given such a severe punishment for going to the temple.

If the people of the settlement did not reach on time, they would have killed us. Those people were furious. Hearing the sound of screaming, the MGNREGA workers of the nearby settlement started running towards the scene. Seeing them coming, these people ran away. The people of the settlement took me to the Dhaukalganj police post after loading me on a Sagdi. But there was no hearing. I was lying unconscious in blood. The policeman present at the outpost said that I am doing this drama to trap the Pandits. He asked the people to get me treated at a private hospital. When I came to know about this, I was very sad. What is my enmity with Pandits? How can the police make such a big allegation? When my family members went to the police station to complain, they were stopped by the policeman of the outpost on the way. Seeing no way out, everyone went home with private medicine.

For two days I stayed in my in-laws' house. The treatment continued from the nearby doctor. The brick kiln owner Pankaj Singh came to know about my condition. He told me that you somehow reach the brick kiln, I will get you treated. I got some courage on listening to his words. With the help of in-laws, I went to the brick kiln. The owner got me treated at Dr. Surjan with the money I had earned. For a month, I stayed in bed. Every other third day I would get medicines of rupees three hundred. Seeing all this, I was getting very upset. My wife was getting worried about our small children. She used to watch me too and work at the brick kiln. It was a very difficult day. Those people not only beat me up but also my two-wheeler. I cry and tremble when I think of it now.

A few days ago, the owner's account was done here. In which Rs 30,000/- was coming out. I thought I would take some more loans and build a house to live in the village. I don't have a house to live in. I stay in the kiln all season long. When I go to the village, I repair a wooden house, which is very uncomfortable for the children.  It is more problematic in the rainy season. We have not got government housing in the village. Father had got Indira Awas long back. That too has become dilapidated. I feel sorry that all my money has gone. I feel pain in my chest even now, which stops me from working like before.
Due to the non-hearing of the incident, a complaint was made to the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi with the help of the PVCHR of Varanasi. The commission took cognizance of the matter. After fifteen days of the incident, Badagaon police started looking for us. Our case has been registered. In the following days, my statement was taken twice at CO Baragaon. All this gave me solace and encouragement. On 13 January 2021, we learned from Chandan that in the office of CO Baragaon, we were asked for our Aadhar card and bank passbook. When we went there, we were told that our name has been cut off. Saying that the police started making fun of me. It was very painful to see. Nobody listens to the poor. 

After this incident, a fear has settled inside me. I do not want to go anywhere as I feel insecure all the time. There is no hearing anywhere. Those people are domineering and moneyed, they can harm us in any way.

 

Whenever I try to sleep at night, I wake up scared. My whole body and chest hurt a lot. I keep thinking about the incident all the time. I feel sad that the police did not see our serious condition and on the contrary, put the blame on us.
I want that strict action should be taken against those who made me go through all this. So that, I can get justice.

"The police said that no one will come to save you here, you guys are Muslims, you throw stones at people"

"The police said that no one will come to save you here, you guys are Muslims, you throw stones at people" 

My name is Ziaul Haq. I am 24 years old. My father is Mainuddin. I work as a weaver. We are five brothers and two sisters, in which I am at number four. My address is House No-N15/309 Mohalla Julaha, Thana-Bhelupur, District-Varanasi.
On December 21, 2019, at around 4 pm, I was coming from the roadside. People took out a procession in protest against CAA. What happened after that I don't know. Later, it was found that there were stampedes there. That night I slept after eating and drinking at home. Abbu opened the door after hearing knocking on the door of the house at around 12.15 o'clock. I also woke up. On hearing that it was the police, I ran away in fear before they entered my house. The police showed my father some photos on the mobile. My father recognized me and said he is my son. On hearing this, the police entered my house and started looking for me. When they did not find me downstairs, they went upstairs and knocked on my elder brother Ziaur Rahman's door.

My brother opened the door and came out. Without saying anything, the three policemen went inside his room. At that time my sister-in-law and her son were present in the room. Those people searched my entire house. By not finding me those policemen came down and started taking my younger brother Mubarak. My family asked: "why are they taking him?" They responded, "we will not leave him until your son is present. We are taking him to the Bajardiha post." As soon as I came to know about this, I went to the Bajardiha post.

 

After that, the police released my brother. The police took up the baton to beat me, the in-charge immediately stopped them and asked to take me outside. not inside the station. Then the police handcuffed me and took me to Manduadih police station. It all sounded very strange. The police were taking me like a criminal. I was worried about it, as it felt like I was being arrested unnecessarily. 

The police took me to the Maduadih police station and locked me up. A man was already present in the lockup. I felt very strange in lockup. I was feeling anxious. The lockup was very dirty. I could not understand where the smell of urine was coming from. Later, I was given a blanket. It was very cold, the whole body was trembling. The blanket also smelled bad. Somehow I spent the night crying. I was missing home a lot. In the morning I thought that I will be released from the lock-up.  But it did not happen, I remained kept inside. I kept looking at the door of the lockup hungry and thirsty. The afternoon had passed, I did not get anything to eat. 

Due to not eating, I started having a stomachache. Whenever I went to the door and asked for something to eat and drink, the police would console me: "Don't worry, it's coming." For about three o'clock I went without eating and drinking. Then in that condition, I was taken out of the lockup and taken to Bhelupur police station. In the police station, the police were identifying by showing the photo in the mobile. They asked me to recognize it, in order to be released. But I did not know anyone from the photo. 

The policemen took me to the back of the police station. They grabbed my hand and started beating me with a stick.   They were hitting me on my thigh and butt. They were swearing at me. I was in pain and shouting: "Ya Allah! Ya Allah!"

 

The police said that this will not work here. No one will come to save you here. You people are Mia (Muslims) and hit on the head by throwing stones. I said, #sir, I did not do anything, I was just passing through there."
The police were not ready to accept this. They were constantly beating me. After hitting 20-25 sticks, they started taking me to the nearby government hospital. It was hurting a lot. I was not able to walk, as there was swelling in my feet and buttocks. My medical examination was done there. The police said that our injury was caused by a riot. I was very sad to hear this. After coming from there, I was fed two or two samosas and taken to the court. From there I was sent to Chowkaghat Jail at around 7.30 pm. It was very painful for me.

I never thought that I would witness such a day in my life. I was feeling very sorry. I went to jail like a living corpse. I was kept in barrack no. 10. There was a very strange atmosphere. I was suffocating in the barracks. I was so anxious that I felt that my life will be over. I was missing my parents a lot every night. Got food but didn't feel like eating it. I was panicking all the time. The family members came to meet me. Seeing my condition, got a meeting done by paying one thousand rupees. I stayed in this barracks for 12 days. After that, I was sent to barrack number five. There was no place to set foot. I spent the whole night sitting there and asked to change the barracks. Two hundred rupees were taken for changing the barracks in the jail. After that I was sent to barrack number nine. I found someplace there. But, my state of mind remained the same that I had not committed any crime, yet I was a prisoner there. The police have filed a case of sedition against me, which is a quite serious charge. Despite the fact, that I did not oppose anyone, I am in jail. Every moment was painful for me. 

 

With the help of some responsible people and PVCHR, I was released on bail after 25 days. I came home and was happy to see my family members. I do not have words to describe that feeling. I am thankful to all those who helped us.
But still remembering all that, there is a strange nervousness/anxiety. I fear that the police may arrest me again. I can't sleep with this anxiety all night long. The people of the house are worried. My parents are worried since I went to jail. I keep thinking about my future. 

I want that whatever baseless serious allegations have been made against me, I should get rid of them so that justice can be done for me and my family.

Justice, compensation

 The Commission received a complaint from Onkar Vishwakarma, Human Rights Activist r/o Domchanch, Koderma, Jharkhand alleging that police beat a minor 12-year-old girl Reshma D/o Rajan Hari r/o Brite Kusunda, PS. Dhansar, Dhanbad, Jharkhand during lockdown. The girl committed suicide in her house due to depression. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, SSP Dhanbad vide communication dated 03.10.2020 submitted the enquiry report of DSP(Law & Order) wherein it has been stated that police found crowd near a general store during lockdown on 19.04.2020. On the direction of the Police Inspector, police officials used force to disperse the crowd. Police also used force against the victim girl thinking her a boy because she was looking like a boy. She was in depression after this incident and committed suicide on 20.04.2020. Police registered a UD Case No. 07/20 at PS. Dhansar. Matter is under Investigation. SP City, Dhanbad enquired into the matter and recommended departmental action against Bhikari Ram, Police Inspector cum SHO of PS. Dhansar, then SSP Dhanbad transferred him from Dhansar Police Station to Police Centre, Dhanbad. Vide proceedings dated 09.12.2020 the Commission considered the material placed on record and directed as under: “The Commission has considered the material placed on the record. Police used force on the people when they were on the general store during lockdown while police could have made them understand about the lockdown in a proper way. They also used force against the minor girl which compelled the girl to commit suicide. It is clearly abuse of power by the police which caused serious violation of human rights of the victim. Police simply registered the UD Case in the matter and did not register the FIR u/s 154 CR.P.C under relevant provisions against the guilty police officials for compelling the girl to commit suicide. In these circumstances, let a notice u/s 18 of the PHR Act, 1993 be issued to the Govt. of Jharkhand through its Chief Secretary requiring it to show cause why an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/-(Rupees One Lakh only) as compensation be not recommended to be paid to the NoK of the deceased girl for violation of her human rights. The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand shall respond to the show cause notice within eight weeks. In addition, SSP Dhanbad, Jharkhand is directed to take stern legal action under relevant provisions of law against guilt police officials. He is also directed to inform the outcome of departmental proceedings against erring police inspector Bhikari Ram. Response within eight weeks.” The Commission has considered the material placed on record. From the perusal of records, it reveals that during lockdown police beaten up the girl which led her into depression and committed suicide on 20.04.2020. Police registered a UD Case No. 07/20 at PS. Dhansar. Matter is under Investigation. SP City, Dhanbad enquired into the matter and recommended departmental action against Bhikari Ram, Police Inspector cum SHO of PS. Dhansar. The Commission issued show cause notice, however, the Commission has not received any reply or response from the concerned authority to the show cause notice which leads to the Commission that the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand has nothing to urge upon the Commission on the show cause notice recommending therein a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- to the NoK of the deceased victim. Therefore, the Commission confirms its show cause notice and directs to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Jharkhand to release payment of Rs. 1,00,000/- to NoK of deceased victim within four weeks and submit compliance report alongwith proof of payment to the Commission within four weeks. In addition to above, the Director General of Police, Jharkhand is directed to take stern legal action under relevant provisions of law against guilty police officials including Bhikari Ram, Police Inspector cum then SHO of PS. Dhansar and inform the outcome of departmental proceedings within four weeks.