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NHRC to suo motu take up farmer's suicide case Press Trust of India | Hyderabad April 24, 2015 Last Updated at 17:07 IST The National Human Rights Commission will suo motu take up the case of suicide of Gajendra Singh, during the farmers' rally organised by AAP in Delhi, if no official complaint is lodged with the panel, NHRC chief said today.

"We have not decided to take any suo motu action. There may be some complaint (filed with the commission). We do not need a complaint (to take up the issue). As all the members (of NHRC) are here (in Hyderabad), we have to get all the details to consider it," NHRC Chairperson K G Balakrishnan told reporters here.

"Of course, we will take up suo motu the case if there is no complaint. Tomorrow all the members will be in Delhi. Then we will take a decision. There may be some complaint by some people (by now). Then there is no question of suo motu," he added.

Balakrishnan, a former Chief Justice of India, and other members of the Delhi-headquartered Commission were here to participate in a three-day "Open hearing and Camp Sitting".

Singh (41), a farmer from Dausa in Rajasthan, hanged himself before a big crowd at the rally organised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to protest against the land acquisition Bill, at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.

On the issue of killing of 20 people in firing by Andhra Pradesh Police in Chittoor district early this month, Balakrishnan said the Commission's team would shortly visit the spot and draw up a report, based on which the human rights watchdog would come to a conclusion. "It is more of an investigating team rather than a fact-finding team," he said.

He said NHRC has not formed any opinion on the basis of initial information about the incident and it needs to have all necessary documents on hand to come to a conclusion. The panel has sought a report from the AP Government on the April 7 firing in Seshachalam forests near Tirupati.

The Commission is also looking into the killing of five undertrial prisoners in an alleged encounter on April 7 in Nalgonda district of Telangana while they were being brought to a court in Hyderabad for a hearing.

The Commission has ordered an inquiry by a judicial magistrate into the matter.

NHRC's 3-day open hearing, camp sitting

concluded in Hyderabad

Narendra Ch 24 April, 2015

The three day 'Open Hearing' and 'Camp Sitting', from April 22 - 24, 2015, of the National Human Rights

Commission on the issues concerning human rights of the people of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

concluded in Hyderabad today.

During this NHRC held meeting with senior officers and expressed hope that the State Governments

ofAndhra Pradesh and Telangana would proactively engage itself for timely compliance of its

recommendations and work towards promotion and protection of human rights in these States.

In Focus Several issues of human rights violation were discussed with the senior officers and they were sensitized

that responsibility of protecting the human rights of the poor and marginalised people lies with the State

and their problems should be dealt with a humane approach.

According to a NHRC's press release, the issues of discussions covered reforms in jails, bonded labour,

police atrocities, grabbing of land of SCs, implementation of flagship programmes, delay in submission of

reports etc. as well as the issues which were brought to the notice of the Commission during its 'Open

Hearing' and discussions with NGOs including murder of Pastors, false implication of scheduled castes,

atrocities against red sanders, rising cases of death in custody, increasing number of suicide by debt

ridden farmers, patta not being provided despite allotment and the need to sensitize the state authorities as

well as the public about human rights.

The issue of farmer suicide was discussed in detail with the State functionaries. The State Government

has informed that steps are being taken to alleviate the problems of the farmers which includes debt

waiver, drought proof irrigation etc.

The matter pertaining to death of 20 red sanders during the course of police action in Chittoor

districtof Andhra Pradesh on the 7th April, 2015 was taken up by the Commission.

After hearing the submissions made by the representatives of the civil society and the State Government

the Commission has directed that in addition to its earlier order dated 13.04.2015, mobile number of all

the officials involved in the police action, medico-legal reports of the police personnel injured in the

action are also to be submitted to the Commission.

The Commission has also decided to send its own team for inquiry at the spot. The State Government has

been asked to facilitate investigation team of NHRC.

Apart from taking the case of killing of 20 red sanders in Sesachalam hill range the Commission also took

up the case in which five under trial prisoners were killed in District Nalgonda while being brought to

Hyderabad for Court hearing. Many representatives of the civil society protested that the said five

prisoners were eliminated in pursuance of conspiracy. The Commission directed inquiry by a judicial

magistrate in the matter.

The issue of rehabilitation of 920 bonded labourers in Krishna district was also taken up and the

Commission pointed out to the authorities concerned that delay in rehabilitation defeats the very purpose

of release of bonded labourers. The Govt. of Telangana conceded that there were some bonded labourers

in Rangareddy and Medak districts and agreed to issue Release Certificates to them.

The Commission was informed that the residential school for visually handicapped children

inKakinada where the Coordinator had caned three minor children has been taken over by the Govt.

The Commission was also informed that the persons who had suffered due to explosion in the GAIL

pipeline had been given monetary compensation accommodation and job.

The families of three sewerage workers who had died of suffocation after entering a manhole in

Vishakhapatnam district were given comp of 6 lakh each, a house and a job.

In many cases of custodial death, where it was found that the police or prison authorities were

responsible, the Commission recommended monetary relief amounting to Rs. 7 lakh for the next of kin. In

one case of encounter the Commission did not believe the police version and recommended compensation

of Rs five lakh.

During the open hearing, the Commission gained the impression that the police investigation of cases

reported by Scheduled castes was not as quick and fair as it should be. The District Magistrates and

Labour Offices need to be sensitized about their functions and duties under the Bonded Labour System

(Abolition) Act, 1976 and Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulations) Act, 1986.

The incident which resulted in death of 20 red sanders and five under-trial prisoners in Seshachalam

Forest and Nalgonda District respectively need to be investigated in a free, impartial and credible manner.

NHRC Directs Rly on Compensation By Express News Service

Published: 25th April 2015 06:03 AM

Last Updated: 25th April 2015 06:03 AM

BHUBANESWAR: Taking strong exception to the dilly-dallying approach of the Railways, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Chairman, Railway Board to make immediate payment of `4 lakh compensation awarded to one Biswanath Bhoi, who had lost his leg after being pushed off a running train in 2009.

The Commission has rejected Indian Railway’s contention of awaiting the outcome of Railway Claim Tribunal (RCT) decision before paying compensation and directed the Chairman to submit compliance with proof of payment within six weeks.

The incident had occurred on May 11, 2009 near Jakhapura Section under Jajpur-Keonjhar Road. The youth was found lying injured on the tracks near Jakhapura station and rushed to the hospital but he had to lose a leg. It was alleged that he was pushed out of a running train by a TTE for not having a ticket.

The Commission had on December 12, 2012 ruled an award of `4 lakh compensation to the youth. But the directions have not been complied with by the Railways on various pretexts even though more than two years have passed.

The Railways has contended that since two cases of the alleged offence, on the basis of which the NHRC has directed for payment of compensation, were pending before the District and Sessions Judge, Bhadrak and the RCT, Bhubaneswar, it would like to wait for their outcome first. If the payment of compensation is made on the directions of NHRC and later the offence is not proved in court, it will be difficult to recover the amount.

The Commission has, however, taken stern note of the attitude of the Railways and observed that the GRP has filed chargesheet against the TTE in the court after completion of investigation in the case. This indicates that prima facie, the TTE was responsible for pushing the youth from the running train, which is a clear case of violation of human rights.

It also observed that the claim case before RCT was certain to fall as the victim was without a ticket as provided in the amended Provision of Sec 80 of Indian Railways Act.

“Therefore, results of the criminal case and the claim case before RCT have nothing to do with the compensation recommended for the victim,” the Commission ruled.

NHRC Favours Judicial Enquiry Into Chittoor Firing, to Send a Team NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD | APR 23, 2015

In a tough stance on the firing incident in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in which 20 people were killed earlier this month, the National Human Rights Commission today strongly favoured conducting a judicial inquiry even as an NGO alleged that the killing was carried out with "approval" of the state leadership.

The Commission decided to send its own team to the scene in Seshachalam forests, near Tirupati, for on-spot investigation into the April 7 incident.

The Commission, which took suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a report from the Andhra Pradesh government, took up the matter during 'a Camp Sitting' in states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh here.

The NHRC, after hearing the submissions made by the representatives of civil society and state government, directed the state government that mobile numbers of all the officials involved in the police action be submitted to it.

"We insist all enquiries by judicial (enquiry)," NHRC Chairperson K G Balakrishnan said during the public hearing.

Balakrishnan also directed that evidence such as the vehicle log books, etc, should be preserved.

He also asked the state government to furnish details of wireless communication relating to the incident and the medical reports regarding injuries sustained by police personnel.

The Commission also decided to send its own team for an inquiry at the spot, an official statement said.

Balakrishnan also said the version of witnesses can be recorded before a competent authority even in Tamil Nadu, from where the victims hailed.

People's Watch, a human rights NGO, said that the witnesses did not feel safe in Andhra Pradesh and demanded that they be provided security.

Advocate Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director of People's Watch, alleged that the incident had "approval of top government leadership in AP".

"It is not just torture, but extra-judicial killing with approval from the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and efforts are taken to ensure that evidence is lost. Last two weeks, no investigation whatsoever has been properly been undertaken," he said.

Asked about the basis for his allegation, Tiphagne said, "It should have been the business of Andhra police to immediately catch hold of all the mobile phones. It should track all the mobile phones...All the wireless records...The whole story would have come out".

"...You trace the calls between DGP's office and the personal secretary to the Chief Minister and if the location is Tirupati...” he said.

There cannot be any tension between AP and Tamil Nadu and it is an issue of human rights violation, he added.

NHRC to suo motu take up farmer's suicide

case at AAP rally IndiaToday.in New Delhi, April 24, 2015 | UPDATED 18:46 IST

The National Human Rights Commission will suo motu take up the case of suicide of Gajendra

Singh, during the farmers' rally organised by Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, if no official complaint is

lodged with the panel, NHRC chief said on Friday.

"We have not decided to take any suo motu action. There may be some complaint (filed with

the commission). We do not need a complaint (to take up the issue). As all the members (of

NHRC) are here (in Hyderabad), we have to get all the details to consider it," NHRC Chairperson

K G Balakrishnan told reporters in Hyderabad, a PTI report stated.

"Of course, we will take up suo motu the case if there is no complaint. Tomorrow all the

members will be in Delhi. Then we will take a decision. There may be some complaint by some

people (by now). Then there is no question of suo motu," he added.

Balakrishnan, a former Chief Justice of India, and other members of the Delhi-headquartered

Commission were in Hyderabad to participate in a three-day "Open hearing and Camp Sitting".

Singh (41), a farmer from Dausa in Rajasthan, hanged himself before a big crowd at the rally

organised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to protest against the Land Bill, at Jantar Mantar on

Wednesday.

On the issue of killing of 20 people in firing by Andhra Pradesh Police in Chittoor district early

this month, Balakrishnan said the Commission's team would shortly visit the spot and draw up a

report, based on which the human rights watchdog would come to a conclusion.

"It is more of an investigating team rather than a fact-finding team," he said.

He said the NHRC has not formed any opinion on the basis of initial information about the

incident and it needs to have all necessary documents on hand to come to a conclusion.

The panel has sought a report from the AP Government on the April 7 firing in Seshachalam

forests near Tirupati.

The Commission is also looking into the killing of five undertrial prisoners in an alleged

encounter on April 7 in Nalgonda district of Telangana while they were being brought to a court

in Hyderabad for a hearing.

The Commission has ordered an inquiry by a judicial magistrate into the matter.

NHRC Likely to Take Up Suo Motu notice of Ryot's Suicide at AAp Rally By Express News Service

Published: 25th April 2015 06:01 AM

Last Updated: 25th April 2015 11:08 AM

• It is completely baseless. It is not factually correct, the former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan, who is one of the three CJIs Katju accused of improper compromises, said | EPS File Photo

HYDERABAD:The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is considering the possibility of taking suo motu cognisance of farmer Gajendra Singh’s suicide at the AAP rally in New Delhi.

“Farmer’s suicide in Delhi has come to our notice. We will consider taking it up as suo motu after reaching Delhi,” NHRC chairperson Justice KG Balakrishnan said. Justice Balakrishnan and other members of the Delhi-headquartered Commission were here to participate in a three-day Open hearing and Camp Sitting, which concluded on Friday.

Justice Balakrishnan said State governments have to take up whatever measures possible to prevent suicides of farmers. All options like increasing ex gratia to the deceased, waiver of loans, steps to prevent farmers from approaching private money lenders by expanding credit facility from nationalised banks and cooperative societies must be considered, he suggested.

The NHRC’s camp sitting in Hyderabad assumed significance as the two recent encounters, one at the Seshachalam forest in Andhra Pradesh and the other in Nalgonda district in Telangana, came up for hearing.

Justice Balakrishnan said the commission’s team would shortly visit the encounter spot in the Seshachalam forest and draw up a report, based on which the human rights watchdog would arrive at a conclusion. “We will decide in a week about NHRC team’s composition and date of visit to the Seshachalam encounter site,’’ he said.

The commission had on Thursday favoured a judcial probe into the encounter in which 25 woodcutters from Tamil Nadu were killed by the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force.

The Commission has also ordered the Telangana government to submit all the records relating to the killing of five undertrial prisoners in an encounter at Alair mandal in Nalgonda district on April 7. It sought autopsy reports of the five victims, including the notorious Viqaruddin, who family has sought a thorough probe into the incident.

The Commission heard about 100 cases relating to violation of human rights by the police, SC/ST atrocities, migrant labourers and bonded labourers among others during its three-day stay in Hyderabad. It has made various recommendations in these cases ranging from ordering compensations to directing officials to register cases immediately.

The commission also held a meeting with senior officials from both the states on Friday and urged them to protect the rights of the poor and marginalised sections. It also urged non-government organisations and the media to create awareness about legal recourses available to the victims.

Published on Deccan Chronicle (http://www.deccanchronicle.com) Home > National Human Rights Commission to act on farmer suicide

National Human Rights Commission to act on farmer suicide

DC CORRESPONDENT | April 25, 2015, 05.04 am IST

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Hyderabad: NHRC chairman Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (retd), said on Friday that if no complaint was lodged with the commission regarding Gajendra Singh, who had committed suicide during the farmers’ rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi recently, the NHRC would take up the case suo motu. He was addressing a press conference here along with other members, Justice Cyriac Joseph, Justice D. Murugesan and Mr S.C. Sinha, after concluding the three-day open hearing and camp sitting. Reacting to a query, Justice Balakrishnan said, “The incident has come to our notice, but we are in Hyderabad. We don’t know if anyone has filed a complaint with regard to the incident with the NHRC. After reaching Delhi we will look into the issue.” Speaking on the Seshachalam and Alair encounters of April 7, he said that the NHRC had not formed any opinion on the basis of initial information, as it needed the necessary documents. Only after going through the material on record could it come to a conclusion. Stating that the NHRC team would shortly visit the encounter spot in Seshachalam where 20 woodcutters from Tamil Nadu were killed, Justice Balakrishnan made it clear that the team would be more of an investigating team than a fact-finding one.

“It would be difficult for the Commission to assess the performance of any state or its agencies based on the number of complaints received by the NHRC against them. Generally complaints against the police are high when compared to other agencies in any state in India,” he said. He also said that the NHRC had noticed that there had been a decrease in encounters in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra and an increase in the number of cases from AP and Telangana. He said that the Commission felt that police investigation of cases reported by SCs was not as quick and fair as it should be. The district magistrates and labour offices needed to be sensitized about their functions and duties under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulations) Act, 1986, he added.