NHRC orders Delhi Govt to pay for police harassment

Though the police officials had been suspended, no formal case had been registered against them. The Commission had received a complaint on April 15, 1996 in which Chand had alleged that he had been illegally detained by the officials of the northest special staff and that he was released only after a payment of Rs 30,000.

The complainthad also stated that an inquiry had been held after the matter was brought to the notice of the senior police officials and erring officials suspended.

On receiving the complaint, D R Karthikeya, Director General (Investigation), was asked to ascertain the facts. The team submitted a report which said four policemen of the special staff of the north district had picked up Subhash Chand from his shop in Bhajanpura. Two others were also arrested and a three-wheeler containing 70 crates of cold drinks was confiscated. Chand was taken to the police staff office in Seelampur.

The report also said that when the victim’s father went to the police station for his release, the policemen demanded Rs 1 lakh in return. Not being able to pay the amount, the father complained to the police commissioner.

The police had detained the Chand and the others illegally and did not lodge any FIR regarding the case. Finally, Chand’s relatives requested the sub-inspector of the police station to release the detainees. But hedemanded Rs 50,000 which was finally “negotiated” down to Rs 30,000.

The police released the three along with a three-wheeler containing only 59 crates which led to a further loss of Rs 3,875 to the complainant.