NHRC recommends five lakh as monetary relief to family of stunt biker killed in police firing

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended the Delhi Government to pay five lakh rupees as monetary relief to the next of kin of Karan Pandey, who was killed in police firing on the stunt bikers.

Pandey was killed when the police fired on bikers at Windsor Place, Ashoka Road, in the intervening night of July 28-29, 2013. The Commission has asked the Delhi Government's Chief Secretary to submit the proof of payment along with the action taken report on the departmental proceedings initiated against the delinquent police officials within six weeks.

The Commission had taken cognizance of the incident on the basis of an intimation received from the New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police and complaints. On the basis of material on record, the Commission observed that the enquiry Magistrate had found that there was negligence and error of judgment on the part of an Inspector to open fire at the rear tyre of the bike which resulted in the death of Karan Pandey who was pillion riding the bike driven by Puneet Sharma.

The Commission also noted that there was unnecessary use of force by opening fire which was disproportionate to the amount to threat to PCR officials' life.

It further noted that the entire incident of heavy stone pelting on police party is highly doubtful in the light of CCTV footage and statements of witnesses which could have caused life threatening risk to PCR officials.