No action on cops indicted by GSHRC

Though the report was submitted to the government,authorities have expressed ignorance about the incident as well as the recommendations of the Commission,in the matter. Even Minister of State for Home Amit Shah first pleaded ignorance about it.

Later,however,he said that he would look into it. “We have appointed the Commission for redressal of public grievances with respect to violation of human rights. We honour the recommendations and findings of the Commission. I will certainly look into it,” Shah told Newsline.

The GSHRC had also asked the Amreli district collector as well as the superintendent of police to furnish details of the incident within 15 days of receipt of the Commission’s findings.

Although the missive was sent on April 6,the Commission has not received any reply from the two offices. When questioned,Chitranjan Sinh,Additional Director General of Police and a member of the Commission,said they have not received any reply from the Amreli district authorities till now .

Amreli District Collector P R Sompura candidly acknowledged that it was not in his knowledge if the Commission had sought any material from his office. “I joined on April 11 only and was busy in election work,” he said,adding that he would inquire into it and send an appropriate response to the Commission.

Superintendent of Police (in-charge) Mahendra Bharada also expressed his ignorance about the whole episode. SP Sandip Singh is on leave.

Inspector Trivedi,now posted in Jafrabad,however,tried to defend his actions.

He said: “The district collector had recommended PASA (Prevention of Anti-social Activities Act) against Iqbal Ghori on my request.” But he had little to say when told that the PASA Board had dropped charges following the GSHRC report.

Ghori,a journalist,was publicly beaten up by the police along with other Muslims at Riddhi-Siddhi Chowk in Savarkundla,allegedly under pressure from a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader on January 10. He was arrested later.

After his release on bail,Ghori was booked under PASA and jailed. However,he filed a complaint with GSHRC on whose recommendations PASA was dropped against him. The Commission indicted the police in its report on April 6.