Asian Centre for Human Rights

Subject: Complaint against the torture of Mr Ajoy Das by the security guard of the Serampore Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), West Bengal on the night of 24 June 2003.

Dear Justice Anand,

I am writing to seek immediate intervention of the National Human Rights Commission against the torture of Mr Ajoy Das, who runs a tea stall near Serampore Walsh Hospital, Chinsura, West Bengal by the security guard of the Serampore Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) on the night of 24 June 2003. Mr Das had protested the cop's alleged misbehaviour with a woman near his shop.

The policeman had allegedly passed filthy remarks on a woman while having tea at the stall. As soon as Mr Das protested the cop severally beat him up before leaving the spot around 8 p.m. Later the policeman came back with his associates and dragged Mr Das in front of the office of the SDPO, where he was beaten with sticks. The cop left leaving Ajoy critically wounded. Local people admitted Mr Ajoy Das to Walsh Hospital after he was found in an unconscious state.

Though a complaint was lodged, no action has been taken against the cop till now.

I shall be grateful if the National Human Rights Commission could kindly intervene against the torture of Mr. Ajoy Das and consider taking the following measures:

1. Direct the State government of West Bengal to take necessary action against the torture of Mr Ajoy Das;

2. Direct the State government of West Bengal to forward all the medical records of Mr Ajoy Das to the NHRC for determination of the nature of torture and injuries;

3. Direct the State government of West Bengal to pay exemplary interim compensation of Rs 100,000 to Mr Ajoy Das, excluding the costs of his medical treatment and that the same be recovered from the concerned policeman; and

4. Take any other measures that the NHRC deems fit.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely

Suhas Chakma
Director