The Hindu : National : Notice to police on death of Pakistani

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Thursday, Jul 12, 2007
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Notice to police on death of Pakistani

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday took a stern view of the death of a Pakistani who was under “illegal detention” in Gujarat, and asked that disciplinary and criminal proceedings be initiated against the erring officials.

Raiabibi Sheikh Jamir Luhar, who was intercepted at the border in March 2003 and brought to the Mavsarai police station, was found dead there two months later during interrogation by three Gujarat police personnel and a BSF officer.

While police said he died after complaining of headache, the Commission pointed out that the post-mortem report appeared to suggest that Luhar was subjected to torture.

It also said Luhar was never produced before court.

According to doctors, the cause of death was shock and haemorrhage and his body had ante-mortem injuries, most of them in the back.

Quoting the magisterial inquiry report, the Commission said Luhar’s death occurred on May 12 during the interrogation by P.N. Singh (BSF), Kumar Anand (CIB, Gujarat), Makwana and Devendra Sathwana (both Special Branch, Gujarat).

While officials at the Manswara station told the magistrate that the deceased was questioned in a closed room there, the interrogators denied the charge.

The doctor at the primary health centre said he found Luhar without clothes. — PTI

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