Maharashtra Human Rights Commission seeks FIR against Pune Police for alleged custodial torture and child abuse
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has recommended registration of an FIR against Pune Police over alleged custodial torture, illegal detention and public parading of children in conflict with law. A Full Bench directed the investigation be entrusted to an officer of ADGP rank or above.
The Commission's fact-finding committee found that three children were allegedly tied with ropes to a police vehicle bonnet on July 21 and publicly paraded from Ambegaon Pathar police outpost to Bharti Vidyapeeth police station. Police allegedly made announcements identifying them as accused in a murder case. The report recorded allegations that eight children were physically assaulted with batons and bamboo sticks and illegally detained.
The Commission described the treatment as "unadulterated Police terror," noting the public parade amounted to psychological warfare that stripped the children of dignity. The interim order was passed on September 9 by a Full Bench comprising Chairperson Justice A.M. Badar, Justice Swapna Joshi and member Sanjay Kumar.
