Terming the handcuffing of Odisha Jan Morcha (OJM) secretary general Jagneswar Babu by the police while producing him in a court here in connection with a corruption case on Tuesday as violation of the Supreme Court and NHRC guidelines, Centre for legal Awareness and Human Rights (ClAR) secretary Chandranath Dani on Wednesday sought the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) intervention in the issue.
Dani in a petition to the NHRC said, “Though Jagneswar Babu was not a habitudinal offender or hardcore criminal but he was seen entering the Vigilance court with handcuffs which is repugnant of Article 21 and violation of NHRC guidelines.”
The petitioner also urged the commission to issue notices to the State Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police, Vigilance in this case.
"Though the Supreme Court guideline clearly clarifies that handcuff will be used only in case of hardcore criminals, the police and prison authorities handcuffed Jagneswar, who is not a hardcore criminal. The law also stipulates that the police should take permission from a judge to put handcuffs on an under-trial prisoner," said Dani.