NHRC seeks action taken report from Surat Police Commissioner on alleged police brutality

By A Representative

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Surat Police Commissioner regarding an incident of alleged police brutality reported in Surat last year. The hearing of the case has been scheduled after four weeks.

The case relates to an episode in Surat city, where police officials allegedly beat up individuals following an incident in which stones were thrown at an idol of Shreeji in the Varriyavi Market. On its official Twitter handle, Surat City Police had written that those who disturbed the peace of the city were “taught a lesson in law.”

Mujahid Nafees, Convener of the Minority Coordination Committee (MCC), Gujarat, filed a petition with the NHRC on September 11, 2024. In the petition, he urged the commission to initiate departmental, disciplinary, punitive, and criminal proceedings against the police officials. The petition also cited violation of fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution and contempt of the Supreme Court’s judgment in the D.K. Basu case.

Speaking on the development, Mujahid Nafees said, “There is no provision in any police manual or the Indian Penal Code that permits police officers to carry out indiscriminate attacks on citizens. Such actions undermine the spirit of a civilized and democratic society.”

The NHRC, in its communication, directed the Surat Police Commissioner to submit an ATR and fixed the hearing of the matter after four weeks.

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