The National Human Rights Commission has recommended that Railway Board pay Rs. 1 lakh as monetary relief to a young man, who was beaten and hanged upside down from the window in the S-2 coach of Patliputra Express by some fellow passengers for about 4 hours from Jabalpur to Itarsi in Madhya Pradesh on 25th March, 2016. The Chairman, Railway Board has been directed to submit compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks from date of receipt of the recommendations.
Subsequent to the NHRC’s suo motu cognizance of the matter, enquiries were conducted and three alleged perpetrators were arrested in Crime Case No. 164/127/2016 under Sections 294/323/342/307/506/147/148 of the Penal Code. Search for three other perpetrators is on.
The Commission, during the course of enquiry, also found that three police personnel were suspended for negligence in the matter. They include one Assistant Sub-Inspector from GRP and one Sub-Inspector and Constable from RPF. Some Railway officials were also indicted for their carelessness.
It was observed by the Commission that “the victim Sumit Kachhi was subjected to extreme cruelty by some fellow travelers but the concerned officials of the GRP/RPF and the railway failed to take note of it. Hence, a case of violation of human rights is made out and the railway department cannot escape its liability to compensate him.” The Commission has also expressed the hope that appropriate disciplinary action shall also be taken against the indicted public servants as per rules.
National Human Rights Commission