New Delhi (ILNS): The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, DGP and DG-prisons after taking suo motu cognizance of the allegation by woman inmate that she was gang-raped by five policemen for 10 days in a lockup in Rewa district.
The incident occurred in May. However, it came into light on October 10 when a legal team comprising an additional district judge, a law officer and two lawyers visited the prison for inspection and the woman informed them of the alleged crime. Thereafter, a judicial enquiry was ordered by the district judge into the incident.
Reportedly, the woman also claimed that that the cops threatened to frame her father in the murder case if she revealed the crime to anyone.
The NHRC noted:
“It is mentioned in the report that a 20-year-old woman has levelled allegations that she was kept in a lock-up for 10 days in the month of May this year and was subjected to rape by five police personnel, including the Police Station In-charge and SDPO of Mangawan area of Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh.
“As alleged by the victim woman, she was subjected to rape between May 9-21 while the police contradict. The female constable had protested at that time but she was rebuked by her seniors,” the statement said.
The commission further noted that:
“Very serious allegations have been leveled by the victim. Public servants from law enforcement agencies, who are supposed to safeguard citizens, especially women and vulnerable classes of society, have allegedly committed the heinous crime against a woman in their custody.”
The NHRC has also directed the authority to submit a detailed report on alleged prison inmates rights violation and inhuman behaviour on the six SIMI prisoners and their medical treatment records, within four weeks.