Srinagar, May 23 KMS): The so-called State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has expressed concern over the instances of third degree torture and illegal confinement in the police stations of occupied Kashmir.

Disposing off a case of illegal confinement of a retired naib tehsildar, the acting chairperson of the commission, Habib-Ullah Butt, observed that people of the occupied territory were being subjected to third degree torture and disgraceful reception in police stations.

In her complaint to the commission, Lajwanto Manhas of Krishana Nagar, Jammu, stated that on May 9, 2005, the then station house officer (SHO) and sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Miran Sahib Police Station had harassed and kept her husband, Vishwanath Manhas (retd. naib tehsildar) in illegal detention in a murder case. 

The commission found that the judicial registrar, appointed as warrant officer by the High Court, had searched the Police Station and found Manhas in the lock-up. The Court had acquitted him of all charges with the provision to approach appropriate forum for omission and commission of the respondents (police), including wrongful detention.

The commission later rejected the arguments of the counsels for the accused policemen saying it was not sustainable on reason and logic.

“The arrest of Vishwanath Manhas and his detention was illegal. The police officials, Rajeshwar Singh then SDPO and SHO, Kulbir Singh, have committed brutal contempt of law and have behaved like violent law breakers,” the acting chairperson observed in his judgment. The commission directed the officers to pay compensation of Rs 60,000 to the complainant for illegal confinement.