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Ludhiana: 21 yrs on, NHRC begins probe into ‘custodial torture’ of Dalit woman
NHRC team records statements of five people in Jagraon; Kin alleges Kulwant Kaur was tortured in police custody in July 2005
Nearly 21 years after a Dalit woman was allegedly tortured in police custody, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has opened proceedings into the case in Jagraon, recording statements of five people on Tuesday.
The case concerns Kulwant Kaur, who was 19 when she was allegedly illegally confined and subjected to third-degree torture by police. The family alleges that the torture left her permanently disabled and bedridden for nearly 16 years. She died at the age of 35 on December 10, 2021.
According to the family, Kaur and her mother were taken into custody for questioning after Kaur’s niece died by suicide on July 14, 2005. Kaur was allegedly taken into police custody a few days later, where the family claims she was subjected to torture.
The NHRC intervention follows years of efforts by Kaur’s family and supporters to seek action against those allegedly responsible. An FIR was registered by Jagraon City police after her death, but the family claims that no arrests have been made so far.
Iqbal Singh Rasulpur, an activist and family member of Kaur, said, “22 people associated with the case appeared before the NHRC team, while statements of five people were recorded on Tuesday.”
The family has been pursuing the matter for nearly four years, including staging protests outside Jagraon City police station and approaching senior police and government officials seeking action.
According to the family, Kaur was taken into police custody following the death of a Dalit girl from Rasulpur and subjected to third-degree torture. They allege that the assault caused permanent physical disability and left her with prolonged health complications.
Following Kaur’s death, Jagraon City police registered an FIR in December 2021 against then-SHO Gurinder Singh Bal, then-ASI Rajvir Singh and then-sarpanch Paramjit Singh. Panchayat member Dhyan Singh, also named as an accused, has since died.
The accused were booked under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Bal was later promoted to deputy superintendent of police.
The family has alleged that despite the FIR, the accused have not been arrested. Various organisations supporting the family have also submitted a joint representation to the NHRC seeking an impartial investigation, justice for Kaur’s family and legal action against those found responsible.
The family has expressed hope that the NHRC proceedings will lead to a comprehensive examination of the allegations and ensure accountability if wrongdoing is established.
