UPDATE (India): Bodies of victims decompose in Barasat morgue before being sent to Bangladesh 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received further information regarding the case of the five men who were beaten to death by a mob of villagers after they were suspected of having stolen motorcycles in Barasat, West Bengal on 2 October 2005.

According to the latest information received, the dead bodies of the five victims were kept in the District Hospital Morgue, Barasat, 24 Parganas (N) for so long and without proper methods of preservation that they decomposed.

Mr.Manoj Pant, the District Magistrate of 24 Parganas (N) wrote to the District Magistrate, Jessore District, Bangladesh who confirmed that the deceased belonged to Jessore District. However, though the bodies were actually waiting to be released from the morgue to be sent to Bangladesh, it was only after MASUM, approached different government authorities that Mr. Pant, managed to send the decomposed bodies across the border.

The AHRC feels that the basic rights of the dead and their families must be respected and in this regard, preservation of the bodies till they are handed over to the families is extremely important. This case also depicts the state of criminal investigation in India. It is the state authorities who must stand responsible for this. In this context, we once again draw your attention to the appalling state of the morgues in West Bengal (see further AG-01-2004 INDIA: AHRC letter to the President of India regarding the horrendous practices during forensic examinations in West Bengal and UG-04-2005: INDIA: Poor condition of the Basirhat Hospital morgue represents the collapse of post mortem system in West Bengal).There is a complete lack of facilities in these morgues, the deep fridge and air conditioning, essential for the preservation of the bodies remain dysfunctional, there is a total lack of ventilation and most of these bodies are either decomposed or rotten, the remnants of which are fed on by stray animals and birds.

Despite bringing this to the attention of various authorities time and again little action has been taken to improve the conditions of morgues in the state. We therefore urge you to write to the West Bengal government and demand that they immediately look into the poor condition of not only the Barasat morgue but also other morgues that exist. Proper funds must be allocated for their adequate functioning and those responsible for their maintenance must be held accountable.

BRIEF REMINDER OF THE CASE

On 2 October 2005, five persons, one of whom was Sk. Mustaque, a resident of Dhibe village, Jessore District, Bangladesh, were beaten to death by a mob of villagers. The incident took place after villagers from Bahera, under the jurisdiction of Chhota Jagulia Panchayat chased them and beat them after being caught over suspicions that they were involved in the theft of motorcycles in the village. Mustaque was beaten to death immediately upon being caught by the perpetrators. The other four victims were beaten to death in a school playground. The perpetrators used logs, bamboo poles and bricks in their assault after having tied the hands and feet of their victims together.

Prior to the incident, on 1 October 2005, three motorcycles were stolen from the village of Bahera. In most cases, stolen motorcycles are reportedly sold to Bangladesh. The smuggling is allegedly carried out with the help of a section of local police and the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Anger reportedly ensued among the residents towards the police who are alleged to have connived with the BSF. The distrust amongst the people reportedly prompted them to take the law into their own hands.

Masum contacted Mr. Jiban Chakraborty, the Sub Inspector attached to the Barasat police station as 2nd officer. It was learned that seven people have so far been arrested and sent to jail. However, the other alleged perpetrators who lived mostly in the village of Bahera were able to escape. A police case has been started vides Barasat Police Station case no. 667 dated 2 October 2005 under section 304/34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Although post-mortem examinations on all the victims’ bodies have been performed at the Barasat District Hospital, the Autopsy Surgeon has yet to prepare a final report on his findings. Initial reports revealed however, that all the victims suffered injuries to the head, chest, stomach, face and hands.

SUGGESTED ACTION

Please send a letter to the relevant authorities listed below once again highlighting the poor conditions of not only Barasat morgue but other morgues as well.

 

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER