Fruit vendor’s death: NHRC issues notice to Delhi police chief

day after a fruit vendor allegedly died in police custody and his body was later dumped, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognizance of the incident and issued a notice to the Delhi Police Commissioner, asking for a detailed report on the matter within six weeks.

“The commission has observed that the allegation of a death in police custody is a matter of concern for it. It has been emphasising that the police authorities and State machinery need to be sensitive towards the rights of persons taken into custody in connection with any criminal case,” it stated.

“He has been asked to submit all relevant documents with his report, i.e., postmortem report, inquest report, video CD of the post-mortem and the magisterial enquiry report,” it added.

The commission said the incident amounted to violation of right to life of the victim and is indicative of inhuman approach of the police personnel who, reportedly, picked up the victim and thrashed him in their custody to an extent he lost his life.

According to reports, the victim, Sompal was arrested by the police and taken to the Adarsh Nagar Police Station where, during questioning he was allegedly thrashed by three constables.

A few hours later, the bloodsoaked body of Sompal was lying in the courtyard outside the police station, as he jumped from the terrace. Reportedly, six police personnel, including the SHO, who allegedly tried to cover up the incident by dumping the body at another spot, have been suspended and booked under sections of the IPC.

A probe by the sub-divisional Magistrate has been initiated.

Relatives of Sompal alleged he was beaten up in custody by the constables following which he tried to escape.