Hyderabad, Nov 14, : .Two alleged custodial deaths in Telangana and torture have done a serious damage to the image and reputation of the police force.
This has prompted a new debate about reforms to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
A case of custodial death of a Dalit and another case of custodial torture of a tribal were reported during last three days.
In the last three days, a case of custodial murder of a Dalit was reported as well as another case of torture to a tribal custodian.This came at a time when the Telangana High Court was monitoring a probe into recent lock-up death of a Dalit woman, Mariyamma and it felt that it is appropriate to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
This happened at the same time that the Telangana High Court was observing a probe into Mariyamma’s recent lock-up death.It felt it appropriate to transfer the investigation to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
While Mariyamma died in police custody in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district in June, the fresh cases were reported from Suryapet and Kamareddy district.Mariyamma was taken into police custody in Yadadri Bhubvanagiri in June.
However, new cases were reported from Suryapet or Kamareddy.
In two of the cases, the victims were picked up by the police on suspicion of theft, while in the third case the Dalit was arrested during a raid on a group playing cards.
Two of the cases saw the victims being taken into police custody on suspicion of theft.In the third, the Dalit was captured during a raid at a group of playing cards.
G.Veerashekar, the tribal man, was allegedly tortured by policemen in Atmakur (S) Police Station in Suryapet district on November 10.G.Veerashekar the tribal man was allegedly tortured in Atmakur (S) by Suryapet policemen on November 10.
The 23-year-old tribal farmer was picked from his field on suspicion of involvement in a theft.On suspicion of theft, the 23-year-old tribal farmer was taken from his field.
The family members alleged that policemen tortured him and even made him drink his urine.Family members claimed that he was tortured by police officers and made to drink his urine.
After he fell unconscious, the police called his family members and handed him over to them saying he was not well.The police called his family and made him unconscious before handing him over to them.
After protest by the family members and other villagers, the police shifted Veerashekar to a hospital in Suryapet.The police moved Veerashekar from Suryapet to a hospital after protests by his family and other villager.Suryapet district superintendent of police S.Rajendra Pasad transferred sub-inspector M.Lingaiah to Vacancy Reserve (VR).Suryapet district superintendent for police S.Rajendra Pasad moved sub-inspector M.Lingaiah into Vacancy Reserve.The SP also ordered a probe into the case.The SP also ordered an investigation into the matter.
In the second case reported from Kamareddy district, Odanti Bhimaboya died after he was allegedly tortured in police custody.Odanti Bhimaboya, who was allegedly tortured by police officers in Kamareddy district, died.
The 50-year-old resident of Shantapur village of Bichkunda mandal was picked up by police on November 4 when he was watching a few villagers playing cards.Police arrested the 50-year-old Shantapur resident from Bichkunda village mandal on November 4, as he was looking at a few villagers playing cards.
The incident came to light two days ago after his family members staged a protest in front of Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment on November 11.Two days ago, the incident was discovered after his family staged a protest outside Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital.He died on November 11th while receiving treatment.
The family had earlier admitted him to a private hospital in Nizamabad and though they spent Rs 1.5 lakh, his health did not improve.His family had previously admitted him to Nizamabad’s private hospital.Although they spent Rs 1.5 lakh on his treatment, his condition did not improve.As his condition deteriorated, they shifted him to the Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.They shifted him to Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad as his health deteriorated.
His wife also claimed that the police were forcing her to sign a statement that the man died due to natural causes.His wife claimed that she was being forced to sign a declaration by the police that the man had died from natural causes.
She also claimed that doctors informed them the cause of death was blood clots due to the police thrashing.She claimed that doctors had told her that the man died from blood clots as a result of the police beating.She wrote to police authorities, demanding justice.She demanded justice by writing to the police.
The police however, said the man was not beaten up in custody.However, the police said that the man had not been beaten in custody.
It was ironic that the fresh cases were reported when the Telangana High Court on November 13 felt it appropriate to hand over the investigation into alleged lockup death of Mariyamma to the CBI.Ironically, the new cases were not reported by the Telangana High Court when it felt appropriate to transfer the investigation into the alleged lockup death Mariyamma to CBI.
The victim, who was working as a maid at a pastor’s house, was picked up by the police after the pastor accused her of stealing Rs 2 lakhs.After being accused by the pastor of stealing Rs 2 Lakhs, the victim was taken into custody.
The woman died in the police custody at Addagurudu Police Station in Rachakonda Police Commissionerate on June 18, 2021, due to the alleged police torture.Due to alleged police torture, the woman was taken into police custody at Addagurudu Police Station, Rachakonda Police Commissionate.She died on June 18, 2021.The police, however, claimed that she had died of a heart attack in the police station.
However, the police claimed that she died from a heart attack at the police station.
The High Court, which had ordered re-post-mortem while hearing a PIL filed by People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) general secretary Jaya Vindhyala, noted the variation in reports of two post-mortems.
While hearing a PIL by People’s Union for Civil Liberties general secretary Jaya Vindhyala (PUCL), the High Court ordered re-postmortem.It also noted the differences in reports from two post-mortems.
The division bench, headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, noted that in the first report no injuries were recorded, and the inquest over the dead body of the deceased did not disclose any injuries over the body.Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma headed the division bench.
It noted that no injuries had been reported in the first report and that the inquest into the body of the deceased didn’t reveal any injuries.The second post-mortem, however, found grave injuries on the body of the deceased.
However, the second post-mortem revealed that the deceased had sustained severe injuries.
“Anybody, who is beaten like this, her heart will stop,” said the Chief Justice while showing the photographs which depict grave injuries inflicted on the body of the victim to Advocate General B.S Prasad.”Anybody who is beaten as this, her heart will stop,” declared the Chief Justice, while showing Advocate General B.S Prasad photographs that show the severe injuries inflicted upon the victim’s body.
The court observed that it is a fit case to a probe by an independent agency and directed the Superintendent of Police, the CBI to be present at the next hearing on November 22.The court ruled that the case is suitable for an investigation by an independent agency.It directed the Superintendent of Police and the CBI to attend the next hearing on November 22.
The High Court had earlier ordered an inquiry through a judicial magistrate while finding fault with the state government for ordering the probe by a tehsildar.While the High Court had previously ordered an inquiry by a court magistrate, it found fault with the state government for ordering a probe by a Tehsildar.
The judicial magistrate furnished the report in sealed cover.The report was sealed by the judicial magistrate.
The incidents have brought into sharp focus the way police were conducting the investigations in violation of rules.These incidents have brought to light the fact that police were conducting investigations without following rules.
Human rights activists say the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court to prevent custodial torture and deaths were being flouted.Human rights activists claim that the Supreme Court’s guidelines to prevent torture and death in custody were being ignored.
The state police, which claims to be in the forefront in using the latest technological tools for investigations in a scientific manner, has come under flak for not following the basic rules.The state police claims to be at the forefront of using the most recent technological tools to investigate scientifically.
However, they have come under fire for not following the basic rules.
Jeevan Kumar of the Human Rights Forum pointed out that in Mariyamma’s case it was male police personnel who arrested her in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.Jeevan Kumar, Human Rights Forum, pointed out that Mariyamma was arrested by male police officers in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.”It’s not surprising that in all cases of custodial deaths or torture, the CCTV cameras in police stations don’t function.It’s not surprising that CCTV cameras at police stations aren’t working in cases of torture or custodial deaths.The police switch off the cameras,” he told IANS.
He told IANS that the police turn off the cameras.
The activist, who claims to have seen 700-800 custodial deaths in undivided Andhra Pradesh since 1977, said not a single policeman was punished in any case.
According to the activist, he claims that he has witnessed 700-800 deaths in Andhra Pradesh’s undivided Andhra Pradesh between 1977 and 2007.He also claimed that not one police officer was ever punished in any of these cases.”They suspend the policemen involved but later bring them back,” he said.He said, “They suspend the officers involved but then bring them back.”
Kumar said nine lock-up deaths have occurred in Telangana since the state was formed in 2014.Kumar stated that nine Telangana lock-up deaths occurred since 2014, when the state was created.
He said every custodial death should be probed by a judicial magistrate but the government gets it investigated by an executive magistrate.Kumar stated that every custodial death should first be investigated by a judicial magistrate, but that the government has it investigated by an executive magistrate.
The activist believes that policemen act at the behest of somebody to torture people in custody.According to the activist, police officers act on orders from someone to torture prisoners.”The policemen will be under pressure from higher-ups and their political bosses and they believe that truth will come out only through torture,” he said.He said that police officers will feel pressured by political bosses and higher-ups to torture people in custody.
Kumar said a change can be brought if police is made an independent agency.Kumar stated that a police agency independent of the state can bring about a change.
He said Police Complaint Authority should be set up at the state level to look into all such cases.Kumar suggested that a Police Complaint Authority be established at the state level in order to investigate all such cases.
He said every case of custodial death also underlined the need to pass Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010.He stated that every case of custodial deaths also highlighted the need for the Prevention of Torture Bill to be passed in 2010.
The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in 2010, but when it came up in Rajya Sabha it was referred to Select Committee.Although the Bill was passed by Lok Sabha in 2010, it was referred for consideration to Select Committee when it was brought up in Rajya Sabha.
The panel submitted its report but the Bill was never passed.Although the panel presented its report, the Bill was not passed.
“These shameful incidents are happening in 2021 and this shows what kind of society we are living in,” said retired IAS officer Akunuri Murali.Akunuri Murali, a retired IAS officer, said that these shameful incidents were occurring in 2021.
This shows the kind of society we live in.
He lamented that the police force has not reformed.He was disappointed that the police force had not been reformed.Murali, who is currently advisor to Andhra Pradesh government for infrastructure in schools, met Veerashekar in Suryapet hospital.
Murali, currently an advisor to Andhra Pradesh government on infrastructure in schools, met Veerashekar at Suryapet.
Murali also noted that it is the people from SCs, STs and other lower castes and poor who are victims of custodial deaths and torture.
Murali also pointed out that torture and custodial death are most common in people of SCs, STs, and lower castes.
“If anything happens to somebody from upper caste they react immediately but when it happens to lower caste people and poor they don’t do anything,” the former IAS officer said.
The former IAS officer stated that while upper caste people react immediately to any kind of incident, those from lower castes and the poor don’t.He pointed out that no official or local MLA visited the hospital to meet the victim.
He noted that neither a local official nor MLA had visited the hospital to speak with the victim.
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