Healing Wounds, Empowering Voices

  When Justice Becomes a Threat: A Chilling Case of Sexual Violence, Impunity, and Retaliation in Varanasi On 9 July 2024 , a horrific story emerged in Amar Ujala — a woman working with an NGO was allegedly raped by her colleague under false promises of marriage. The trauma deepened when a police constable , reportedly assigned to "teach her a lesson," also raped her. Even more disturbing — the acts were recorded on video. Instead of ensuring safety and support, the very institutions meant to protect survivors turned predatory. The Case: NHRC Complaint No. 16984/24/72/2024-WC Following my intervention as a human rights defender and founder of PVCHR , the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took cognizance of the case, registering Diary No. 10627/IN/2024 . The Commission directed action, compensation, and a departmental inquiry into the accused, including Constable Vivek Yadav of the 11th PAC Sitapur. The police investigation resulted in chargesheets: Naveen Yadav : ...

  Supervision and Orientation Workshop Report Date: 5 March 2025 Time: 10:00 AM onwards Venue: PVCHR Office, Varanasi Session I: 10:00 AM – Supervision & Orientation A Supervision and Orientation Workshop was organized on 5th March 2025 at the office of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) , Varanasi. Participants from Koderma (Jharkhand) and Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh) attended the session. The session began with a keynote address by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , Program Director of the organization. He spoke in depth about the lives, struggles, and philosophies of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Savitribai Phule , emphasizing their relevance to contemporary social justice movements. He encouraged participants to carry their legacies forward by empowering the oppressed with knowledge about their rights and how to access support. Key discussion points included: Review of the 2025 action plan and strategies to implement it effectively. Emphasis on achiev...

  ⚖️ Justice for Bansi Kushwaha: NHRC Directs ₹7 Lakh Compensation in Custodial Torture Death Case Posted on: April 16, 2025 Author: PVCHR Editorial Desk Tags: Human Rights, Police Torture, NHRC, Madhya Pradesh, Custodial Violence, Compensation, PVCHR 📍 Background In a landmark order dated 15 April 2025 , the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India directed the Government of Madhya Pradesh to pay a compensation of ₹7,00,000 to the next of kin (NOK) of Mr. Bansi Kushwaha , a 50-year-old farmer who died under suspicious circumstances after allegedly being beaten by police during the COVID-19 lockdown. This case was taken up by human rights defender Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , founder of People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) , who had filed the original complaint with the Commission, seeking justice for the victim and his family. 🚨 The Incident According to the complaint, Mr. Bansi Kushwaha was allegedly brutally beaten by police officials during ...

  Three-Day Training Workshop Report 📅 Date: 25–27 June 2025 📍 Venue: PVCHR Office, Varanasi Organized by: Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) and People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) With Support From: UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) Gwangju Human Rights Peace Foundation (GHRPF) This workshop was a core activity under the ongoing project: “Empowering Victims of Torture by Strengthening Victim Support and Building Information Bridges” It was conducted as part of Project Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) and capacity-building, contributing to the development of a survivor-centered and technology-enabled ecosystem. Project Context The project aims to enhance legal and psycho-social services for survivors of torture, especially from marginalized communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, and minorities. Key components include: Connect+ ICT Platform for real-time victim support Testimony therapy...

  NHRC Seeks Action Taken Report in Police Brutality Case Involving Two Students in Varanasi 📅 Date: July 2, 2025 ✍️ By: PVCHR Editorial Desk 📌 Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has officially taken cognizance of a serious complaint filed by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi , a noted human rights defender and founder of the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), regarding alleged police brutality against two students in Varanasi. The complaint, dated March 7, 2025 , alleges that a police officer from Sankat Mochan Police Station brutally assaulted two students following a dispute between student groups. A disturbing video of the assault surfaced shortly after the incident, prompting internal suspension of the officer in question. However, the complaint further notes that the accused officer attempted to manipulate the investigation by leaking CCTV footage, allegedly in an effort to discredit the original inquiry and sway...

  Towards a Torture-Free Society: A Call for Justice, Humanity, and Reform By PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights) Date: 26 June 2025 – UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture On 26 June 2025, PVCHR marked the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture with a powerful appeal for justice, dignity, and reform. Founder Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi and National Coordinator Mr. Onkar Vishwakarma issued a heartfelt video message, amplifying the voices of survivors and calling for systemic change. The video was curated by PVCHR intern, Mr. Ankit Singh , as part of the organization’s commitment to stand with survivors and advocate for a torture-free world . The Deep Roots of Non-Violence in Indian Tradition India’s ancient Sanatan and Shraman traditions uphold Ahimsa (non-violence) and the intrinsic dignity of every human being. These principles resonate with the global ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam —the belief that the whole world is one family. N...