Date:20/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/20/stories/2003062004031300.htm

Other States - Uttar Pradesh

NHRC summons Chief Secretary

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 19. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh in a case of illegal detention and false implication.

The case relates to Lal Chandra, who was arrested in Sant Nagar district on November 1, 1999 and incarcerated in the Basti district jail until March 6, 2000. Numerous false cases were filed against him, including one of murder. It was when the man he was supposed to have murdered was found alive that he was released by the court.

The police sub-inspectors involved were suspended and cases under the IPC and the Police Act filed against them. However, the investigation was closed because of the refusal of the State Government to sanction the prosecution of the two men.

On receiving a complaint from Mr. Chandra, the NHRC asked the U.P. Government to submit the order refusing prosecution, the final report of the investigator to the court and the court's order accepting the final report. Despite four reminders it received no response.

The NHRC, invoking the powers of a civil court vested in it under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, has asked the Chief Secretary to appear before it, on July 28, with all the documents relating to the case.