HC pulls up state human rights panel on jail death probe

The Calcutta High Court on Friday pulled up state Human Rights Commission for not giving any details of the inquiry into the alleged killing of two prisoners in Presidency Jail in 2008.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday pulled up state Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) for not giving any details of the inquiry into the alleged killing of two prisoners in Presidency Jail in 2008.

In compliance with the court order passed on August 5,a counsel of the state government on Friday placed the report of the WBHRC on the alleged killing of two inmates. The report stated that the panel failed to trace the file of the inquiry report.

Division Bench of Chief Justice JaynarayanJaynarayan Patel and Justice Ashim Roy then remarked: An IAS officer is posted there and what is he doing?

On September 16,2008,Azaharuddin had been killed allegedly by some members of the jail staff. Another inmate Jahangir died in the hospital after few days. Soon,the then chairman of the commission,Justice Shayamal Kumar Sen,had ordered an inquiry into the deaths and sought a report from the then Superintendent of Presidency Jail. Justice Sen had directed the then Secretary along with ADG,SP of the WBHRC to conduct an inquiry including spot inquiry in the jail and M R Bangur Hospital.

The report prepared by J Sundara Sekhar,secretary and CEO of WBHRC,submitted to the HC today said,No file containing the inspection report of the team headed by the then secretary of the commission and order of the chairperson could be located even after thorough search.

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