From Despair to Justice: A Case of Police Harassment and the Triumph of Rights-Based Action
From Despair to Justice: A Case of Police Harassment and the Triumph of Rights-Based Action
On 31 March 2025, a shocking incident from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, sent ripples across the state. A woman, identified as Laxmi Devi (46), reportedly took her own life, unable to bear the alleged harassment and intimidation at the hands of local police officials. The case, which emerged from Ladpur village under Dadon police station, quickly sparked outrage as it was reported in leading newspapers, including Amar Ujala.
According to reports, Laxmi Devi and her family were facing relentless police pressure over a case linked to her brother. On the night before her death, she was allegedly assaulted, further deepening her trauma. By the following morning, she had succumbed to despair, leaving behind grieving children and a community shaken by the abuse of power.
Turning News into Accountability
This tragedy could have become just another forgotten headline. But instead, civil society action ensured that the matter did not vanish in silence. On 2 April 2025, Lenin Raghuvanshi, a noted human rights defender and Chief Advisor of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), filed a detailed complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), citing both the news report and testimonies from the victim’s family.
The complaint alleged that the woman’s suicide was directly linked to custodial harassment, intimidation, and violence by police officers. The intervention sought an impartial inquiry and accountability for the abuse of power.
NHRC Steps In
On 29 September 2025, the NHRC admitted the case (Case No. 8689/24/3/2025) and took cognizance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. A Bench of the Commission, presided over by Hon’ble Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo, directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Aligarh, to conduct an inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks.
By treating the allegations as serious human rights violations, the NHRC transformed a tragic incident into an opportunity for systemic accountability.
Civil Society’s Role in Strengthening Democracy
This case is a reminder of how vigilant civil society action can keep institutions accountable. The fact that an ordinary woman’s death, rooted in systemic abuse, could reach the highest human rights body in India demonstrates the strength of democratic mechanisms when used effectively.
Civil society organizations like PVCHR play a crucial role in ensuring that victims of abuse and their families are not silenced by fear or neglect. By bringing the matter to NHRC, they have given a voice to the voiceless and demanded justice where it is most needed.
Towards Structural Change
While one case does not change the system, it sets a precedent. If NHRC’s directions are implemented effectively, this case could:
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Establish accountability for custodial harassment.
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Reinforce the need for human rights training and sensitization of police personnel.
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Empower other victims’ families to seek justice through institutional mechanisms.
The tragedy of Laxmi Devi underscores the deep scars left by custodial violence and the urgent need for reform. Yet, the successful admission of the case by NHRC marks a ray of hope. It is a story of how despair can be transformed into a demand for justice through democratic struggle, civil society vigilance, and institutional responsiveness.
As India moves towards building a more vibrant democracy, such interventions remind us that human dignity and justice must remain at the center of governance.
हताशा से न्याय तक: पुलिस उत्पीड़न और मानवाधिकार की जीत की कहानी
31 मार्च 2025 को अलीगढ़ ज़िले के लदपुर गाँव से एक दर्दनाक ख़बर आई। लक्ष्मी देवी (46 वर्ष) ने आत्महत्या कर ली। परिवार और ग्रामीणों के अनुसार, पुलिस अधिकारियों के कथित उत्पीड़न और दबाव ने उन्हें यह कदम उठाने पर मजबूर किया। इस घटना ने पूरे क्षेत्र में सनसनी फैला दी और अख़बार अमर उजाला सहित कई मीडिया ने इसे प्रमुखता से प्रकाशित किया।
समाचार से शिकायत तक
यह घटना एक और भूला दी जाने वाली ख़बर बन सकती थी। लेकिन ऐसा नहीं हुआ। 2 अप्रैल 2025 को लेनिन रघुवंशी, प्रमुख मानवाधिकार रक्षक और पीपुल्स विजिलेंस कमेटी ऑन ह्यूमन राइट्स (PVCHR) के मुख्य सलाहकार ने राष्ट्रीय मानवाधिकार आयोग (NHRC) में विस्तृत शिकायत दर्ज की। शिकायत में आरोप लगाया गया कि महिला की आत्महत्या पुलिस की हिंसा और उत्पीड़न का नतीजा है।
NHRC की दख़लअंदाज़ी
29 सितम्बर 2025 को NHRC ने इस मामले को संज्ञान में लिया (प्रकरण संख्या: 8689/24/3/2025)। माननीय सदस्य श्री प्रियांक कानूनगो की अध्यक्षता में आयोग ने इसे गंभीर मानवाधिकार उल्लंघन माना और एसएसपी अलीगढ़ को आदेश दिया कि वे आरोपों की जांच कर चार हफ़्ते में कार्यवाही रिपोर्ट (ATR) प्रस्तुत करें।
लोकतंत्र में नागरिक समाज की ताक़त
यह मामला दर्शाता है कि सतर्क नागरिक समाज कैसे लोकतांत्रिक संस्थाओं को जवाबदेह बना सकता है। एक सामान्य महिला की मौत से जुड़ा यह प्रकरण जब NHRC तक पहुँचा, तो यह संदेश गया कि कोई भी पीड़ित अब पूरी तरह से अकेला नहीं है।
PVCHR जैसे संगठन पीड़ितों को आवाज़ देते हैं और यह सुनिश्चित करते हैं कि न्याय की लड़ाई अधूरी न रहे।
संरचनात्मक बदलाव की ओर
अगर NHRC के आदेश प्रभावी ढंग से लागू होते हैं तो यह मामला
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पुलिस उत्पीड़न के खिलाफ जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करेगा।
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पुलिसकर्मियों के लिए मानवाधिकार प्रशिक्षण की आवश्यकता को मजबूत करेगा।
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अन्य पीड़ित परिवारों को न्याय पाने के लिए प्रेरित करेगा।
लक्ष्मी देवी की आत्महत्या एक गहरी पीड़ा का प्रतीक है, लेकिन NHRC का हस्तक्षेप न्याय की उम्मीद जगाता है। यह उदाहरण बताता है कि हताशा को लोकतांत्रिक संघर्ष और संस्थागत हस्तक्षेप से न्याय में बदला जा सकता है।
भारत को एक जीवंत लोकतंत्र बनाने की दिशा में, ऐसे प्रयास हमें याद दिलाते हैं कि मानवीय गरिमा और न्याय शासन की नींव होनी चाहिए।
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| NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
| MANAV ADHIKAR BHAWAN BLOCK-C, GPO COMPLEX, INA, NEW DELHI- 110023 |
| Fax No.: 011-24651332 Website: www.nhrc.nic.in |
| (Law Division) |
| Case No.- 8689/24/3/2025 |
| Date : 29/09/2025 |
| To, |
| THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE ALIGARH UTTAR PRADESH Email- ssaih-up@nic.in |
| Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from |
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI |
| Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -8689/24/3/2025. |
| Sir/ Madam, |
| The complaint/ intimation dated 02/04/2025, was placed before the Commission on 29/09/2025. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows: |
| The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, has entrusted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, with the responsibility of protecting and promoting the rights of all human beings in the country and having the powers of a civil court for inquiry u/s 13 of the PHR Act, 1993. The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violations of the human rights of the victim. The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Hon'ble Member, has taken cognizance u/s 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter. The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the SSP, Aligarh, UP, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within 4 weeks for perusal of the Commission. A copy of the complaint is attached herewith. |
| 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint/ intimation as an attachment for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of this letter. |
| 3. Any communication by public authorities in this matter may please be sent to the Commission through the HRCNet Portal (https://hrcnet.nic.in) by using id and password already provided to the public authorities (click Authority Login). Any Audio/ Video CDs/ pen drives etc. may be sent through Speed Post/ per bearer. The reports/ responses sent through email may not be entertained. |
Your’s faithfully |
| CC to |
Complainant Details Brijvir Singh |
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- For latest information about the Commission, visit our website at https://nhrc.nic.in .
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