New Delhi May 22: The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO), an anti-corruption and women’s rights organization based in Shillong, Meghalaya regarding the custodial death of an 18-year-old youth Mr. Balsan S. Marak. Balsan was arrested under dubious circumstances on charges of kidnapping and torture of women on 13 May.
He was in police custody over night. The next day he was presented before the magistrate remanded to a 14-day judicial custody lodged in Tura District jail. Balsan was taken to Tura Civil Hospital on two occasions, on 17 May and 19 May, for a fever, ear problems, and orthopedic complication. He died in the early morning of 20 May.
His body carries marks of torture and apparently was beaten at chest with rifle butt. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered. However, AHRC fears that the officers will distort the evidence and threaten eye-witnesses. There is risk that the independent investigation may be compromised, a trend continuously observed by AHRC in such cases, and consequently, the perpetrator police officers will go unpunished.
Police all over the country are routinely violating the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court as well as National Human Rights Commission that aims to prevent arbitrary arrest and custodial torture. AHRC is concerned of the rising brutality of law enforcement officers amidst impunity.(SP News)
