The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has arrived at the decision that the alleged thrashing of an NTPC official by an IAS official last year in February is ‘an established case of human rights violation’.
The findings have been based on the investigation carried out by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) NN Pandey, that charged Kumar of ‘discourteously and unseemly behaviour’ and that his conduct was not in terms of the All India Service (Conduct) Rule.
“As there is no previous complaint against the officer, this act may be considered as aberration. Further, as a long service span of the officer is still left, he may be given an opportunity to improve his behaviour,” Pandey had put down in his report to the NHRC.
In his statement, NTPC DGM (HR) Rakesh Nandan Sahay had blamed the then Hazaribagh DC Sunil Kumar of brutally beating, abusing and harassing him on February 10 last year.
In its ruling, NHRC stated that the investigation carried out by Pandey prima facie substantiates the allegations of human rights violation. The Commission has also called the State liable for the actions of its officer by extension.
Furthermore, the Commission has issued a notice to State Chief Secretary under Section 18 (a)(i) of The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 with directions to show cause within four weeks as to why compensation may not be recommended to be paid to the complainant for violation of his human rights because of discourteous and unseemly behaviour of Hazaribagh DC.
Issue a reminder to DGP of Jharkhand Police directing him to submit a called for report within two weeks on the status of investigation in the four criminal cases filed in the matter. In case of noncompliance, the Commission will be constrained to issue coercive process under Section 13 of the PHR Act, 1993.