NHRC issues stern notice to Maharashtra DGP on Republic AVP Ghanshyam's custodial torture

REPUBLIC NEWS RELEASE: NHRC TAKES COGNISANCE OF CUSTODIAL TORTURE OF ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT DISTRIBUTION  GHANSHYAM SINGH, LAUNCHES STRONG PROTEST AGAINST ‘BARBARIC’ TORTURE METHODS OF MUMBAI POLICE CRIME BRANCH, ISSUES TICE TO MAHARASHTRA DGP

National Human Rights Commission (‘NHRC’) has taken cognisance of complaint by Republic Media Network against horrific custodial torture of its Assitant Vice President Ghanshyam Singh who was arrested on 10 vember and whiplashed with a chakki belt in custody. We are both relieved and gl that NHRC has intervened in case so that justice prevails. 

NHRC has issued a tice to Director-General of Police Maharashtra Police Hequarters regarding said complaint ting, with severity, that “ allegations of physical torture, false implication and mental harassment of office bearer of an eminent Media House, which cant be acceptable in a democratic country like India.” NHRC has taken serious te of barbaric nature of torture and has established that such devious means have place in a democracy. 

It is with regard to this torturous ordeal that NHRC has sought a detailed response from DGP of Maharashtra within a time span of 4 weeks. NHRC has me it clear that custodial torture must be inquired into and stated “Let a tice be issued to Director-General of Police, Maharashtra, Mumbai to have allegations of false implication and custodial torture be inquired by a senior IPS officer of his choice, or than CID Branch or posted within municipal area of Greater Mumbai, and submit a detailed report to Commission within four weeks..” Mumbai Crime Branch has explicitly and specifically been excluded from investigating bodies that can carry out a probe on matter, and rightly so. 

Issuing a tice to DGP of Maharashtra Police in matter, NHRC has also clearly stated, “ tice also be issued to Director General/ Inspector General of Prisons, Maharashtra, who is directed to send a copy of initial health screening report of victim Shri Ghanshyam Singh at time of his mission in jail along with his entire medical treatment record during his stay in custody within 4 weeks. complainant is required to inform Commission, and also submit supporting documents, if any, if victim has received any medical treatment, and also if victim has informed concerned Court regarding alleged torture when he was produced before Court.” 

Republic Media Network is beholden to NHRC for its urgent intervention in this matter to ensure justice to victim for violation of his human rights by police and to protect news ncies whose members have been physically tortured in custody by State officials.  It is crucial that justice is done following skin-crawling torment and torture Ghanshyam Singh was put through for having refused to comply with pre-meditated script of law and order officers, and maintained his true position on facts in custody.  Police officers who threatened him saying, “humare pass doosrae raaste bhi hain… half hour later you will say… 10 days later you will”.  Furr, Ghanshyam Singh was taken into a room len with a tool to torture and one inspector of police force began saying “…inko maaro maro maro” following which, he was brutally and barbarically whipped with a chakki belt.   

Republic Media Network is convinced that justice will be done and speedy cognisance of matter will aid our efforts. 

We continue to march on with belief that courts of country, tribunals of nation and common citizens will rise and stand for truth. 

Republic Media Network and its entire team have always believed in Constitution of India, due process of law and great democracy that was built upon it. We shall t stop our true and honest journalism in face of motivated state machinery in Maharashtra.  We will fight in courts of law,  and in courts of public opinion, come what may.