NAJAR seeks urgent intervention over Karnataka police shootings, discrimination against migrant workers

By A Representative 

The National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), a collective of legal professionals affiliated with the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has raised serious concerns regarding recent incidents in Karnataka involving alleged extrajudicial police killings and discriminatory treatment of migrant workers. In two detailed letters addressed to the Chief Minister of Karnataka and the Chairman of the State Police Complaints Authority, NAJAR has demanded urgent action to uphold constitutional rights, ensure police accountability, and protect the dignity of vulnerable populations.

Referring to the case of the sexual assault and murder of a five-year-old girl in Hubli on April 13, 2025, NAJAR unequivocally condemned the crime and called for justice through due legal process. However, they raised alarm over the killing of Ritesh Kumar, a migrant worker from Bihar who was apprehended as the accused and later shot dead by police in what was described as an “encounter”. The organization highlighted that the incident is under scrutiny before the Karnataka High Court and cautioned against any narrative that could justify such killings without judicial oversight.

NAJAR criticized the public statements made by senior government officials, including the Home Minister and Labour Minister, for promoting a hostile atmosphere against migrant workers following the incident. According to the group, such rhetoric, which calls for regulation of interstate labour migration and background checks of migrant workers, is unconstitutional and dangerously stokes public prejudice. “When businesses and investors are welcomed into the state, why can’t the same be extended to toiling workers with dignity?” the letter asked. NAJAR emphasized that the blanket targeting of migrant workers, who contribute significantly to the state’s economy, undermines the fundamental rights enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

In a separate letter to the State Police Complaints Authority, NAJAR documented what it called “a disturbing pattern” of excessive police force used in Hubballi-Dharwad. Citing fourteen specific cases between May 2024 and April 2025—many resulting in serious injuries and one in death—the organization questioned the legality and necessity of these actions. All incidents followed a similar script: police claimed self-defence while the accused were shot, often in the legs, during or immediately after alleged criminal activity. NAJAR noted that in each case, the police appear to be the sole witnesses, raising serious doubts about the impartiality and verifiability of their claims.

NAJAR invoked Supreme Court guidelines in PUCL v. State of Maharashtra and Arif Md. Yeasin Jwadder v. State of Assam, which require FIR registration, magisterial inquiries, and independent investigations in cases of police encounters or custodial violence. The letters demanded public disclosure of all such incidents on official platforms, registration of FIRs against police officials involved, and strict compliance with legal procedures to ensure accountability. The group also stressed that failure to hold police officers accountable not only violates constitutional rights but also sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked state violence.

The letters concluded with an appeal to the Karnataka government to disassociate itself from prejudicial public statements, initiate necessary inquiries into the police conduct, and adopt proactive measures to make migrant workers feel safe and respected in the state. NAJAR called for firm steps to restore trust, uphold constitutional values, and prevent further erosion of rights and liberties in Karnataka.