NHRC seeks report from Punjab Home Secy over allegations of extra-judicial killings directives by DGP

The complainant has cited several recent incidents of alleged extra-judicial killings and custodial torture across various districts in Punjab to highlight the gravity of the situation.

Earlier, the Punjab Police had investigated the allegations of unfair FIRs registered during the bypoll after the EC ordered a probe. A report on the FIRs registered had been submitted around 10 days back by Special DGP Ram Singh. (File Photo)

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Punjab, seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) on serious allegations of state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings.

The commission has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging that the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, issued directives to police officials to conduct “encounters” as a measure for their professional assessment.

According to the notice issued on November 25, the complaint, filed by Nikhil Saraf, an advocate of the Supreme Court and Punjab and Haryana High Court, draws attention to a social media post dated June 1, which reportedly included a screenshot of a WhatsApp message allegedly from the DGP ordering these acts.

The complainant has cited several recent incidents of alleged extra-judicial killings and custodial torture across various districts in Punjab to highlight the gravity of the situation.

Observing that the allegations constitute “serious violations” of the human rights of the victims, the panel has directed the Punjab Home Department to examine the matter expeditiously.

The NHRC has mandated that an ATR be submitted within two weeks from the date of receipt of the notice. The directive, signed by L M Pathak, Consultant (Law) for the NHRC, further instructs that all reports must be submitted through the HRCNet portal.

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