Tribune

Raising strong objection to the unlawful public humiliation of a murder suspect by the police on July 9 the Haryana Guru Ravidas Samaj Mahasabha has complained to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and demanded strict action against the erring police staff.

Jeet Ram Balmiki, allegedly murdered his wife, a son, a daughter and father-in-law at Para Mohalla here on July 6. He was arrested on July 8 and was produced in court the next day. The suspect was taken to court in a procession and was thrashed with slippers by the police at different chowks.

Condemning the ulawful act Mr Ram Mehar, president of the Mahasabha, alleged that it was a clear act of violation of human rights. In a letter written to the chairman of the NHRC, he said such atrocities by the police reminded the people of the days of Emergency. He claimed that no law on the land permitted the police to beat and humiliate a suspect in public. He said Jeet Ram had been humiliated for he was a Dalit.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Police, Mr Mahendra Singh Malik has defended the police action.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Malik expressed displeasure at the reports published in a section of press in this regard. He said certain newspapers unnecessarily highlighted the incident when the police dealt strictly with an accused of four murders. He evaded the question whether the police action was justified or not and said it was intended to teach a lesson to the other criminal-minded people. However, he admitted later that it was illegal.