Notice to police over biker’s death
A day after a 21- year- old biker died after a piece of iron wire — which was used to tie two police barricades — allegedly got entangled around his neck and slit his throat, the National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC) took cognisance of the report and has issued notices to the Union home secretary and the Delhi police commissioner on Friday.
“‘ The commission has issued notices to the Union home secretary and the Delhi police commissioner, calling for detailed reports in the matter along with existing guidelines for management of the police pickets/ barricades; their deployment and removal; and the extent to which they are in conformity with the smooth flow of traffic. Response from both the authorities is expected within four weeks,” it said.
The commission has also asked the police commissioner to inform whether any action has been taken against the guilty police personnel as, reportedly, there have been several such incidents in the past.
“Leaving them unattended in such a careless manner is tantamount to criminal breach of duty. Due to the clumsiness of the public servants, a precious young human life has been lost. This is a case of serious violation of human rights,” the rights panel said in a statement.
“He ( police commissioner) is also expected to inform whether there is a scheme to grant relief to the victims and their families in case of negligence by personnel of the Delhi police in such cases. The relief, if any, given to the aggrieved family in this case, is to be informed along with the report,” the NHRC said in the statement.
The commission has also observed that the incident indicates that the 21- yearold man died “undoubtedly, due to the negligence of the police personnel.”
“They kept the barricades unattended and used a metal wire to tie them in a reckless manner, absolutely ignoring the dangerous consequences of their act,” it said.
A case of death due to negligence has been registered at the Netaji Subhash Place police station. The SHO has been moved from his post and seven police personnel have been placed under suspension, the statement said.