NHRC Seeks Crucial Reports After PVCHR Raises Concerns Over Suspicious Police Encounter in Prayagraj

In a significant move toward accountability and transparency, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued fresh directions seeking missing and crucial investigative reports in connection with the alleged fake police encounter of Vijay Soni, after a detailed complaint by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder of PVCHR.

The case—a chilling account of alleged custodial torture, abduction, and a staged encounter—raises profound concerns regarding police conduct, procedural violations, and the urgent need for an impartial investigation.

The Incident: A Disturbing Sequence of Events

According to the complaint filed on 30 September 2023, the following is alleged:

  • On 10 September 2023, two police vehicles arrived at the home of Vijay Soni in Hanuman Ganj, Prayagraj.

  • Policemen—some in uniform, one in plain clothes—dragged Vijay out and began beating him.

  • When Vijay’s mother tried to intervene, she was abused and threatened with sexual humiliation, allegedly told she would be “dragged naked.”

  • The family searched for Vijay at local police stations but could not trace him.

  • On 12 September 2023, Vijay was allegedly taken to the Kaushambi forest, where:

    • He was tied up.

    • Given a pistol by police and forced to pose for a video.

    • Shot in the right shoulder.

  • Vijay was then taken to Swaroop Rani Hospital, where he died during treatment.

These allegations, coupled with contradictory police documentation and missing investigative materials, prompted PVCHR to intervene on behalf of the victim’s family.

NHRC's Review: Key Reports Missing

The NHRC has reviewed previous submissions from the Uttar Pradesh Police and identified critical gaps:

Missing Essential Documents

  • Post-Mortem Videography

  • Forensic Examination Report of Hand Wash

  • Ballistic Expert Report

  • Fingerprint Expert Report

  • Dead Body Identification Memo

  • Dead Body Hand-Over Memo

  • Vehicle Logs

  • Wireless Logs

  • CDRs and technical examination of involved vehicles

These omissions raise red flags about investigative integrity and transparency.

NHRC’s New Directive: Submit All Missing Reports by 25 December 2025

On 17 November 2025, the NHRC issued strong additional directions to:

  • Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj

  • Superintendent of Police, Kaushambi

They are required to submit all missing reports within four weeks, including:

  1. Ballistic Expert Report

  2. Dead Body Identification Memo

  3. Dead Body Hand Over Memo

  4. Wireless Log Copies

The Commission emphasized that compliance is not optional and must be followed strictly.

Why This Case Matters: Rule of Law and Public Trust

The NHRC’s scrutiny highlights broader concerns:

  • Rising allegations of fake encounters

  • Pattern of missing forensic reports in police shooting cases

  • Vulnerability of families to pressure

  • Need for independent oversight in custodial and encounter deaths

Even though the victim's mother reportedly submitted an affidavit under pressure stating she did not wish to pursue action, NHRC continues its inquiry—recognizing the possibility of intimidation and coercion.

PVCHR’s Stand: Justice Must Be Transparent, Not Negotiated

PVCHR has consistently advocated for:

  • Impartial investigation of encounter deaths

  • Forensic transparency

  • Fatigue-free justice for families

  • Protection of complainants and witnesses

  • Accountability for misuse of power

This case reflects the organization’s commitment to ensuring human rights violations are neither ignored nor buried under procedural delays.

A Step Toward Justice

With NHRC demanding decisive action, this case could set a strong precedent for accountability in alleged encounter killings. Ensuring that critical forensic and procedural documents are produced is essential for uncovering the truth behind Vijay Soni’s death.

PVCHR will continue monitoring the case and supporting the victim’s family so that justice is neither delayed nor denied.



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.- 26139/24/4/2023-AFE
Date : 17/11/2025  
To,
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Police Commissionerate,
PRAYAGRAJ (ALLAHABAD) UTTAR PRADESH
Email- cp-pol.ah@up.gov.in

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
KAUSHAMBI UTTAR PRADESH
Email- spksi-up@nic.in,spksi-up@upcctns.gov.in,spkaushambi@nic.in

 
Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

LENINRAGHUVNASHI
SA4/2A DAULATPUR VARANASI
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
221002
Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

 
Subject: Additional Information Called for(AIC) -26139/24/4/2023-AFE.
 
Sir/ Madam,
 
         I am directed to say that the matter was considered by the Commission on 17/11/2025 and the Commission has directed as follows.:
         

1. These proceedings shall be read in continuation with earlier proceedings of the Commission.

2. The Commission received a complaint from Shri Lenin Raghuvanshi, a human rights activist from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh stating that on 10.09.2023, two police vehicles came to one Vijay Soni's house in which two or three policemen were in uniform and one in plain clothes. As soon as they arrived, they started beating Shri Vijay and when his mother tried to save him, the police abused her and asked her to get away otherwise they will drag her naked. The complainant has further stated that the victim's mother went to the local police station with her husband but she was not able to trace her son there. On 11.09.2023, the victim sent an email to the CM portal and the Police Commissioner. It is further mentioned in the complaint that on 12.09.2023, the police took said Vijay to the forest of Kaushambi where his hands and mouth were tied. The police gave him a pistol and made a video of him and after that, fired bullets at him. The bullet hit his right shoulder. After that the police took him to Swaroop Rani Hospital where he died during the course of treatment. The complainant has requested the Commission to intervene into the matter. The Commission has also received a complaint in this regard from Smt. Anju Devi who is the mother of the victim. The same has been tagged with this case.

3. Vide proceedings dated 21.08.2025, the Commission observed and directed as under:

"Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, the Additional Superintendent of Police-cum-Nodal Officer (Human Rights), Kaushambi, vide communication dated 03.12.2024, submitted the Detailed Report, Copies of relevant GD entries, Copy of FIR, Copy of Seizure Memo, Details of Criminal History of the Deceased, Site Plan, Inquest Report, Post-Mortem Report, Details of Investigation Agency, Copy of dead body hand over memo, copy of identification memo, copies of relevant wireless log and Affidavit filed by the mother of the deceased Vijay that she does not want any action in the matter. However, the remaining requisite reports, viz., Video CD of Post-Mortem Examination, Report of Forensic Examination of 'Hand Wash', Report of Ballistic Expert and Report of Finger Prints Expert have not been received in the Commission, till date.

In the meantime, the complainant, Shri Lenin Raghuvanshi, vide communication dated 16.10.2024, has requested the Commission to expedite the matter.

The Commission has perused the matter. Let, the Superintendent of Police, Kaushambi be directed to send the following remaining requisite reports to the Commission, within four weeks, positively:
i. Video CD of Post-Mortem Examination
ii. Report of Forensic Examination of 'Hand Wash'
iii. Report of Ballistic Expert, and
iv. Report of Finger Prints Expert.

Following reports, if applicable, may also please be sent:-
i. Copy of dead body hand over memo, if applicable
ii. Copy of identification memo, if applicable
iii. Copies of relevant wireless log,
iv. Copies of relevant vehicle log,
v. CDR of recovered mobile phone, if any
vi. Technical/mechanical examination report of involved vehicles, if any
vii. Action taken on complaint by a relative's deceased or other persons alleging killing in a fake encounter."

4. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Human Rights), Uttar Pradesh, vide communication dated 23.09.2025, submitted the report dated 18.09.2025 of the Additional Superintendent of Police/ Nodal Officer (Human Rights Commission), Kaushambi. It is stated that the Post-Mortem of the deceased was got conducted by the Prayagraj Police and the videography of the same was not conducted. It is also stated that no action to take 'Hand Wash' and finger prints of the deceased was taken. It is further stated that the Report of the Ballistic Expert is still awaited and Identification Memo, Copies of relevant vehicle log, CDR of recovered mobile phone and Technical/Mechanical examination of involved vehicles are not available. The Prayagraj Police handed over the body of the deceased to his relatives, hence, the Dead Body hand over memo is also not available. It is further stated that the mother of the deceased, through Affidavit, stated that she had made the complaint and now she do not want to take any action on it. It is stated that the wireless log has been mentioned in the GD entry. However, upon perusal, the same was not found to be mentioned in the GD entry.

5. The Commission has perused the records. Let, the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj and the Superintendent of Police, Kaushambi be directed to submit the following remaining requisite reports to the Commission, within four weeks, positively:
i. Report of Ballistic Expert
ii. Dead Body Identification Memo
iii. Dead Body Hand Over Memo, and
iv. Copies of Wireless Log.


 
2.     It is therefore, requested that the additional/ complete report as directed by the Commission in the matter be sent latest by 25/12/2025, for futher consideration by the Commission.
 
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
Sd/-
Mukesh
DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW)
M-1 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663317

CC to
THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
POLICE HEADQUARTERS, 1, TILAK MARG, LUCKNOW- 226001, UTTAR PRADESH
UTTAR PRADESH
Email- dgp@up.nic.in


 

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