National Human Rights Commission Calls for Additional Reports on Alleged Police Encounter in Kaushambi


 At the PVCHR office, Lenin Raghuvanshi honors survivors of custodial violence, highlighting empathy and emotion as part of the healing process through Testimonial Therapy.

National Human Rights Commission Calls for Additional Reports on Alleged Police Encounter in Kaushambi

📍 Case No. 26139/24/4/2023-AFE
🗓️ Date: 21 August 2025

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has once again directed the Superintendent of Police, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, to furnish crucial missing reports in the case of Vijay Soni, a young man who allegedly died in a staged police encounter. The complaint was filed by Lenin Raghuvanshi, a well-known human rights defender from Varanasi, and supported by Vijay’s mother, Smt. Anju Devi.

📖 Background of the Case

According to the complaint, on 10 September 2023, police personnel arrived at Vijay Soni’s house and brutally assaulted him. When his mother tried to intervene, she was abused and threatened. Vijay was taken away and went missing from the local police station.

On 12 September 2023, it is alleged that the police tied up Vijay in a forest area, forced him to hold a pistol, filmed the scene, and then shot him in the shoulder. He was later shifted to Swaroop Rani Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Both Lenin Raghuvanshi and Anju Devi approached the NHRC, demanding justice for what they described as a fake encounter killing.

⚖️ NHRC’s Observations and Directions

In its proceedings dated 15 October 2024 and 21 August 2025, the NHRC noted serious inconsistencies in the reports submitted by the Kaushambi Police. While the police claimed that Vijay was a criminal killed in an encounter (FIR Nos. 197/2023 and 198/2023 under IPC and Arms Act), the Commission found the available documentation incomplete.

The NHRC has directed the Superintendent of Police, Kaushambi to urgently submit the following missing reports:

  • Video CD of the post-mortem examination

  • Forensic examination of Vijay’s hand wash (to detect gunpowder residue)

  • Ballistic expert report on arms and ammunition

  • Fingerprint expert report on seized weapons

Additionally, if available, the Commission has sought:

  • Wireless and vehicle logs

  • Mobile phone call records (CDR)

  • Technical/ mechanical examination of vehicles involved

  • Detailed action on complaints from relatives alleging a fake encounter

The NHRC has set 28 September 2025 as the deadline for submission of these documents.

💔 A Father’s Anguish – Narayan Prasad’s Story

The case also reflects the personal tragedy of Narayan Prasad, Vijay’s father, who continues to fight for justice despite intimidation, betrayal, and corruption. In a moving testimony, Narayan revealed how the family was manipulated by a compromised lawyer, pressured to accept bribes, and even physically attacked when they refused.

His account of police brutality – Vijay’s illegal detention, torture, and staged shootout – highlights the systemic abuse of power and the deep scars left on grieving families.

Read more about Narayan’s story here: A Tragic Tale of Betrayal: Seeking Justice Amidst Police Brutality and Corruption

🔎 Why This Case Matters

This case is not just about one young man’s death – it is about police accountability, rule of law, and the sanctity of human rights in India. The NHRC’s insistence on forensic evidence and independent verification reflects its commitment to uncovering the truth in cases of alleged extra-judicial killings, which continue to plague several states.

Human rights defenders like Lenin Raghuvanshi emphasize that justice in Vijay’s case could set a precedent, ensuring that state authorities cannot bypass due process under the guise of "encounters."

📌 Next Steps

The NHRC’s vigilance now places responsibility squarely on the Uttar Pradesh Police to submit the missing documents and allow the Commission to assess the truth. The findings could be pivotal in establishing whether Vijay Soni’s death was lawful police action or a gross violation of human rights.

As we await the reports, civil society, legal experts, and the victim’s family continue to demand justice, transparency, and police reform.

📖 More details available here:

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