Healing Wounds, Empowering Voices

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a serious allegation of custodial torture and caste-based humiliation involving police personnel in Kalyanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh . Acting on a complaint filed by human rights defender Lenin Raghuvanshi , the Commission has directed the Commissioner of Police, Kanpur Nagar to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks . Background of the Case According to the complaint submitted to NHRC on 5 November 2025 , a 25-year-old Scheduled Caste e-rickshaw driver from Kanpur was allegedly subjected to brutal treatment by police personnel after a minor dispute with a neighbor. The complaint alleges that: The victim was detained by police officials from Kalyanpur police station . He was beaten brutally by police personnel. The officers allegedly used casteist slurs against him. In an act of extreme humiliation, the victim was allegedly forced to drink water from a shoe . Police personnel alle...

  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, has taken cognizance of a serious allegation of custodial violence against a 17-year-old minor, Ayush, in Kotwa village under Lohta police station, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Commission has formally issued notice and called for an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, within four weeks. This action follows a complaint filed on 22 September 2025 by Lenin Raghuvanshi, human rights defender and representative of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), highlighting abuse of power and violation of human rights by police personnel. Incident Details According to the complaint and media reports published on 20 September 2025, the minor Ayush had gone to pick up his sister from school on 19 September 2025. During his return, he was stopped by Constable Sushil Shukla and another police personnel from Kotwa police outpost. Despite Ayush clearly identifying the girl as his sister, ...

The People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) welcomes the recent interventions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in two serious human rights cases from Uttar Pradesh — the alleged death of a farmer during a police raid in Badaun and the gang rape of a minor girl in Azamgarh. The Commission’s decision to call for Action Taken Reports (ATR) reflects a significant step toward institutional accountability, victim protection, and strengthening the rule of law. NHRC Action in Badaun: Alleged Death During Police Raid The NHRC has sought an Action Taken Report from the Superintendent of Police, Badaun, regarding allegations that a middle-aged farmer died due to police brutality during a raid in Semarmai village. The complaint highlighted concerns of excessive force, alleged concealment of facts, and the need for impartial investigation and compensation for the victim’s family. PVCHR views the Commission’s response as an important intervention in a case that raises se...

 India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a serious complaint alleging police brutality leading to the death of a farmer in Badaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The Commission has formally sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Superintendent of Police, Badaun, marking an important development in the pursuit of justice and accountability. NHRC Calls for Action On 19 February 2026 , the NHRC directed the Superintendent of Police, Badaun, to submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks regarding allegations of excessive police force during a raid in Semarmai village. The complaint, filed on 17 September 2025 , alleges that a middle-aged farmer named Shakir died due to police brutality during a late-night operation. According to the Commission’s communication, the complaint claims that police personnel entered the Muslim-majority village at night, allegedly assaulted residents indiscriminately, and concealed details of the incident from senior author...

 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a reminder to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Jharkhand regarding the payment of compensation to the family of a deceased protester in the Bokaro protest incident of April 2025. According to official communication dated 10 February 2026 (Case No. 245/34/1/2025), the Commission has sought additional information and proof of compensation payment, directing the state authorities to submit the report by 06 March 2026. Background of the Case The matter originates from a complaint filed on 4 April 2025 by Lenin Raghuvanshi of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The complaint highlighted a tragic incident during a protest in Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand, where displaced persons were demonstrating for employment opportunities on 3 April 2025. As per the complaint, the protest turned violent when security personnel deployed at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge...