NHRC notice to UP govt over torture of Dalit boy by 15 men

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over alleged torture of a 16-year-old Dalit boy by 15 upper caste villagers in Agra by tying him to a tree on suspicion of stealing a buffalo.

Expressing its deep pain and anguish over the "shocking torture" of the teenager boy, NHRC issued notice to the Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police, and sought reports on the incident with status of investigation of the case within four weeks.

It has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that the upper caste villagers tied the boy to a tree, whipped him, poured petrol on his private parts after abducting him from home in Baskari village of Agra.

The mother of the boy sought help but police took more than three hours to reach and rescue after the incident, the Commission said in a statement today.

"Taking a serious view of the incident, the Commission has observed that the report discloses insensitive attitude of police and serious violation of human right of Dalit teenager by upper caste people, and police has also added insult to injury by not booking the upper caste people of SC/ST under the Protection of Atrocities Act and has washed its hand off by booking only 4 of the 15 upper caste people, for a non-cognisable and bailable offence of Assault u/s 352 IPC," it said.

According to the media report, the victim is being treated at S N Medical College, Agra.

He was saved by some villagers who witnessed the torture, it added.