Custodial death: Cops violated SC norms,say activists

Human rights activists said police have clearly violated Supreme Court guidelines by detaining her in the absence of any women police personnel. Human rights activist advocate Asim Sarode said as per the guidelines laid down by the apex court in D K Basu Vs State of Rajasthan case in 1997,police are not supposed to detain or interrogate any woman between sunset and sunrise in the absence of a female cop on duty. “It is violation of Supreme Court guidelines when police detain a woman in the absence of female police personnel on duty,” he said.

Meanwhile,her family members claimed that she died due to police harassment and refused to take her body after post-mortem at Sassoon Hospital on Thursday. They,however,accepted her body around 4.30 pm on Friday.

The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has started investigations in the case. Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID) S A Mujavar said no female police personnel was present when the team of Chatushrungi police detained Dhanavat for selling liquor illegally around 9.30 pm on Wednesday and brought her to the police station.

“If it has been found that cops have violated the apex court guidelines and action will be taken against them as per the norms. We have attached the police vehicle in which Dhanavat was brought to the police station,” he said.

As per the police record,the night patrolling team of Chatushrungi police station nabbed Dhanavat around 9.30 pm on Wednesday,for selling liquor illegal under a tree on the road from Lamantanda towards Pashan. Police said no female police personnel accompanied them to the spot for taking Dhanavat into custody.

Dhanavat was brought to the Chatushrungi police station in a police vehicle. While stepping out of the vehicle,she complaint of chest pain and headache. This time,the police staff,including female police constable Rajguru took her to Aundh Hospital,where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Mujavar said they have not yet received the medical report from Sassoon Hospital specifying the cause of death.

“Police said Dhanavat may have died of heart attack. But we are sure she died due to police torture. Police officers responsible for her death should be suspended,” said Revannath Rathod,Pune district secretary of Banjara Krantidal.