Punjab State Women Commission chairperson Manisha Gulati has been denied permission by Karnal Jail Superintendent to meet labour rights activist Nodeep Kaur, who has been in custody since January 12.
Commission spokesperson said that Karnal Jail Superintendent called up the office of Punjab State Women’s Commission on Monday morning and said that Gulati would have to get the approval of the Haryana Government to meet Nodeep Kaur.
The development came a day after Gulati met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek release of jailed labour activist, who is a resident of Gidrah village in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
Briefing the Union Minister about circumstances leading to her arrest from Singhu border and her alleged harassment in the custody, Gulati had requested the Union Minister to protect the constitutional rights of Nodeep Kaur.
Notably, PSWC chairperson was scheduled to meet Nodeep in Karnal Jail on Monday after she had taken up the matter with her Haryana counterpart and urged to intervene in the matter.
The Haryana State Women Commission (HSWC) had also issued written instruction to the Director General, Jails, (Haryana) Selvaraj to ensure legal assistance under Section 3 (10), (1) (f) (k) of the Haryana State Women Commission Act-2012 to Nodeep Kaur besides ensuring the safety and security of the detainee.
HSWC chairperson had also directed the Director General, Jails, to make all necessary arrangements for the meeting, scheduled at 12 noon on February 15, of Punjab State Women’s Commission chairperson with Nodeep Kaur.
The Director General has also been asked to submit the action taken report in this regard.