INDIA: Eight people arbitrarily re-arrested and tortured by the Newasa police despite the court’s release orders 

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that two men named Rajendra (Raju) Kale and Anna Lashkare, along with six other persons, were inhumanely tortured on 7 November 2004 by the Newasa police in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India.

Eight people including Raju and Anna were arrested by the Newasa Police on 17 October 2004 after a quarrel during celebrations following election results in Ahmednagar. Though they were subsequently released on November 7 by the Newasa court, the Newasa police once again took them into their custody soon after. Inspector Ashok Tekane and head constables, Avhad and Khedkar, then brutally beat them causing severe injury. However, the Newasa police did not take Raju Kale and the seven others to the hospital immediately, despite requests from their lawyers to do so.

Though the District Superintendent of Police, Ahmednagar, said that action would be taken against the concerned police officers, nothing has been done as yet. The AHRC therefore urges you to intervene into this matter immediately. Please urge the local authorities to have an independent inquiry conducted into this matter, so that an impartial investigation can be ensured. Please also ask that the alleged perpetrators be punished accordkingly, and that the victims are compensated.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of victims:
1. Rajendra (Raju) Kale, an auto rickshaw driver, around 22 years old; His address is Rickshaw Drivers Union, Opposite Newasa bus stand, Newasa Tal, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra
2. Anna Lashkare, 3) Six other unidentified persons
Place of incident: Newasa Police Station in Newasa Taluka, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Ashok Tekane, Police Inspector of the Newasa Police Station
2. Avhad, Head Constable of the Newasa Police Station
3. Khedkar, Head Constable of the Newasa Police Station
Date of illegal arrest and torture: 7 November 2004
Case status: No action against the alleged perpetrators despite the assurance of District Superintendent of Police, Ahmednagar

Case details:

On 17 October 2004, Rajendra (Raju) Kale, Anna Lashkare, and six others were arrested by the Newasa police following a quarrel which broke out while they were celebrating election results in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India. Though they were released on November 7 by the orders of Newasa court, the Newasa police re-arrested and took them into their custody soon after. They were then severely tortured by Inspector Ashok Tekane and head constables, Avhad and Khedkar, at the Newasa Police Station. The police did not provide any medical treatment to Raju and the others, who were seriously injured due to torture, despite requests by their lawyers together with the victims’ relatives. The victims were taken to a rural hospital in Newaasa only after the District Superintendent of Police, Ahmednagar, intervened in this matter. The police framed petty charges against the victims before releasing them.

It is alleged that this incident took place because Raju is an active member of the opposition party in the Maharashtra state and therefore incurred the wrath of ruling party members. There was tension in the town after the incident and around 500 people held a protest against the inhumane police torture on November 11. Raju and Anna have filed complaints against the three policemen regarding their torture and an inquiry is going on. However, up to now no legal/disciplinary action has been taken against those responsible, despite assurances by the District Superintendent of Police.

This is yet another example of the urgent need for the ratification of the International Convention against Torture (CAT) and its implement action out the domestic level by the Government of India. The Government of India must take strong and realistic action to eliminate torture that has been customized in the police stations in the country for a long time.   ?lt;br />

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra asking him to order a thorough and impartial investigation into this incident by an independent investigating body. Please also send a copy of the letter to the relevant local authorities listed below.

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