Third-Degree Torture: High Court Orders SIT investigation On Haryana Railway Police

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered to formulate a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to enquire the allegations of sexual assault and custodial torture raised against Haryana railway police officials by a government job aspirant.

In the ruling, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar observed that “The skewed power dynamics between the police authorities and the general public has rendered custodial torture a menacingly widespread ailment largely understood as a routine course of investigation and interrogation by the police.”

The High Court direction came when a petition was filed by a young aspiring student working for his selection in the Government service by preparing for the competitive exams. Petitioner claims that under the lieu of interrogation he was subjected to third-degree torture. He recounted that while he was at the railway station, going to the examination venue, he was stopped by the Chief Ticket Inspector on the basis of suspicion and taken to Bathinda General Railway Police (GRP). He was then moved to Jakhal GRP post. An FIR was registered against him at Hisar GRP post.

Not only the petitioner was met with third-degree torture but also denied proper medical attention until his condition turned serious. The doctor at Hisar Civil Hospital examined him and concluded that it was a case of sexual assault. Further examination and treatment at various hospitals revealed the presence of a foreign body in the victim’s rectum, which was removed by colonoscopy.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar stated that treatment subjected to the victim was of “most gruesome nature” since he was at the mercy of police officers. As the accusations were raised against the Haryana Railway General Police, taking up the matter, Jusice Brar said that SIT should be formed within a week and it should be headed by an IPS officer. Besides, SIT is demanded to submit its report to the Court within 3 months of its formation.