NHRC Seeks Action Taken Report in Case of Alleged Custodial Torture of Minor in Varanasi
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, ...