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, the police allegedly:

  • Threatened him at gunpoint,

  • Forced him to accompany them to the police outpost,

  • Subjected him to physical assault, and

  • Released him without filing any charges or legal procedure.

The victim and witnesses have provided accounts contradicting the police claim that no pistol was used and no unlawful force occurred.

Human Rights Concerns

This incident raises grave concerns regarding:

  • Abuse of police authority

  • Custodial violence against a minor

  • Violation of constitutional protections and child rights

  • Lack of due process and accountability

Custodial violence represents a direct assault on the rule of law and undermines public trust in law enforcement institutions.

NHRC Intervention

After reviewing the complaint, the NHRC directed the Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, to:

  • Conduct an appropriate inquiry into the matter

  • Submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks

  • Provide the report through the official HRCNet portal

This intervention reflects the Commission’s mandate to ensure accountability and protect the fundamental rights of citizens, especially vulnerable individuals such as minors.

PVCHR’s Position

PVCHR welcomes the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission and urges the authorities to ensure:

  • A fair, impartial, and transparent investigation

  • Accountability of the police personnel involved

  • Protection of the victim and family from intimidation

  • Compensation and rehabilitation for the physical and psychological trauma suffered

Human dignity, especially of children, must be protected at all times. No individual should be subjected to violence or humiliation under custody or authority.

Commitment to Justice

Lenin Raghuvanshi and PVCHR remain committed to supporting the victim and ensuring that justice is served in accordance with national and international human rights standards.

Custodial violence has no place in a democratic society governed by the rule of law. Institutional accountability and prompt corrective action are essential to restore public confidence and safeguard human rights.


From: <nhrc.india@nic.in>
Date: Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 16:33
Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -19944/24/72/2025
To: <cp-pol.va@up.gov.in>, <pvchr.adv@gmail.com>
Cc: <uphrclko@yahoo.co.in>



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.- 19944/24/72/2025
Date : 25/02/2026  
To,
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
O/o the Commissioner of Police
VARANASI UTTAR PRADESH
Email- cp-pol.va@up.gov.in

 
Sub : Complaint/ Intimation from

LENIN RAGHUVANSHI
SA 4/2A DAULATPUR, VARANASI
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
221002
Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Subject: Action Taken Report Called for(ATR) -19944/24/72/2025.
 
Sir/ Madam,
 
        The complaint/ intimation dated 22/09/2025, was placed before the Commission on 25/02/2026. Upon perusing the same, the Commission directed as follows:
 
         

The Commission received a complaint on 22/09/2025 about abuse of power in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The complainant alleged that on 20 September 2025, a news report in Dainik Jagran highlighted a serious human rights violation in Kotwa village, Varanasi, where a 17-year-old minor, Ayush, was threatened at gunpoint and beaten by Constable Sushil Shukla and his colleague for picking up his sister from school on 19 September 2025. Despite identifying the girl as his sister, the minor was forcibly taken to the Kotwa police outpost, assaulted, and released without any charges. The police denied pointing a pistol, but witness and victim accounts contradict this claim. The complainant seeks an impartial investigation and compensation for the minor’s physical and mental trauma.


Let a copy of the complaint be transmitted to the Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, through online mode, to ensure the needful action and submit the action taken report duly translated in English to the Commission within four weeks.
 
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
Sd/-
Sparsh Agarwal
DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW)
M-5 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663291

CC to
THE SECRETARY - State Human Rights Commission
TC-34 V-1, VIBHUTI KHAND, GOMTI NAGAR, LUCKNOW - 226010
UTTAR PRADESH
Email- uphrclko@yahoo.co.in

Complainant Details
Case No. 19944/24/72/2025
LENIN RAGHUVANSHI
SA 4/2A DAULATPUR, VARANASI
VARANASI , UTTAR PRADESH
221002
Email- pvchr.adv@gmail.com , Mob No- 9935599331

Sparsh Agarwal
DEPUTY REGISTRAR (LAW)
M-5 Section
Ph. No. 011-24663291


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