MSHRC calls Pune accused parade ‘Barbaric’, orders probe into police conduct

The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has taken Suo-motu cognisance of the incident in which three murder accused were tied to the bonnet of a police vehicle and paraded through parts of Pune, describing the episode as "barbaric" and ordering a preliminary fact-finding inquiry.

In an order passed on August 3, a full bench headed by MSHRC Chairperson Justice A M Badar issued notices to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Milind Mohite, and Bharti Vidyapeeth police station Senior Inspector Mansingh Patil.

The commission observed that videos circulating on social media prima facie showed three accused being tied to the bonnet of a police vehicle and paraded on public roads after their arrest in a murder case.

Describing the incident as a "barbaric" act, the commission said it recalled the case of Farooq Ahmad Dar, who was tied to the bonnet of an Army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir. It noted that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had later directed the state to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation in that case.

The MSHRC said the Pune Police appeared to have "imitated" that incident, adding that if the videos were found to be authentic, they would reflect a blatant disregard for constitutional safeguards and tarnish the image of Maharashtra.

According to the commission, media reports and video footage suggested that the accused were allegedly forced to walk on their knees, assaulted in public and later tied to the bonnet of a police vehicle, while bystanders were allowed to attack them in the presence of police personnel.

The commission also expressed concern over videos purportedly showing a police officer threatening children who had gathered at the scene, stating that such conduct could cause psychological trauma and was contrary to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

The order said the alleged actions amounted to public humiliation of suspects before any determination of guilt and appeared to violate constitutional protections, statutory safeguards governing arrests and the Supreme Court's guidelines on the treatment of arrested persons.

Referring to an earlier human rights matter involving the Pune Police, the commission observed that similar allegations had surfaced earlier this year and said the recurrence of such incidents raised prima facie concerns regarding the role of senior supervisory officers.

The MSHRC said the conduct of the Pune Police Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner of Police warranted an inquiry into whether there was negligence in preventing human rights violations or abetment through failure to act.

The commission directed Datta Karale, Special Inspector General of Police of the MSHRC, to conduct a preliminary fact-finding inquiry with the assistance of Registrar Vijay Kedar and Superintendent of Police Viswas Pandhare.

The fact-finding committee visited Bharti Vidyapeeth police station on Wednesday to review the incident and record statements. It has been directed to submit its report to the commission within one week.