Kolkata, Oct. 29 -- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports that Kolkata Police paraded three arrested men in a semi-nude condition during a crime scene reconstruction in Sarsuna, raising concerns over their dignity and human rights.
The Commission has issued a notice to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, seeking a detailed report within two weeks. It said that, if the reports were true, publicly parading the accused would violate their fundamental right to human dignity.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday when investigators took the three men, arrested in connection with a case involving alleged mob justice, back to the locality to reconstruct the sequence of events. Videos circulated on social media and broadcast by news channels showed the accused being led through the streets barefoot and shirtless, with ropes tied around their waists, in full public view.
The case stems from an alleged assault on an 18-year-old youth, his father and a friend. They were reportedly assaulted and paraded naked at gunpoint by relatives of a minor girl over an alleged romantic relationship.
Police initially drew appreciation for swiftly arresting those accused in the assault. However, the subsequent manner in which the three men were taken through the locality has triggered criticism.
Legal experts and human rights activists have questioned the police action, arguing that publicly parading arrested persons undermines established legal procedures and the principle of human dignity.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.