NHRC asks UP govt to pay Rs 5 lakh to victim of alleged torture

NEW DELHI: National Human Rights Commission today directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Rs five lakh to a victim of alleged police torture due to which he became permanently disabled.

According to an official statement today, the state government, through its Chief Secretary, has been given six weeks time to submit proof of payment to the victim.

"The case is related to a student, Ashish Kumar Madheshiya (17), who was picked up by police personnel of Pipraich Police Station of Gorakhpur district on January 23, 2010," it said.

During the course of inquiry, the Commission found that Ashish was illegally detained and severely tortured allegedly by the Station Officer (SO) and two Constables, which caused serious injury to his spine making him permanently crippled. As a result, the victim would not be able to walk in his lifetime without help from others.

The Commission has observed that this is a case of grave violation of human rights allegedly committed by the police officials for which the State is liable and recommended monetary relief.

NHRC has also asked the Senior Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur to respond within four weeks with the status of the departmental action and charge sheet against the erring police officials in the court.