Following an order by National Human Rights Commission, the J&K government has placed under suspension a former Station House Officer of police station Kathua for not registering a case in connection with alleged setting ablaze of a woman by her husband and other accused persons in the district in September 2016.
The government also announced Rs one lakh as compensation to the brother of the woman, allegedly set on fire by her husband and other accused persons on 17 September 2016 and succumbed to her injuries in a Hospital after a fortnight.
The government orders, a copy of which lies with, followed directions by the NHRC on a complaint by the woman’s brother—Ajay Pal Singh son of Late Madan Lal of Shishgarh Bareilly Uttar Pradesh—, alleging therein that his sister was set on fire by her husband and other accused persons.
On March 3, NHRC had orders issuance of a show cause notice under section 18 of PHRA to Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, as why not Commission should recommend a compensation of Rs. 1,00,000 (One Lakh )only be paid to Singh as his human rights have been violated by the “errant police officials by not registering the cognizable offence and for not taking any action on the same.”
The direction regarding payment of compensation was subsequently confirmed by the NHRC on 4 September this year.
“Accordingly, in due deference of the aforesaid order, sanction has been accorded to the drawal of Rs. 1,00,000 (One Lakh) only in favour of Mr. Ajay Pal Singh on 16 November 2020,” reads the order issued by Principal secretary Home Department Shaleen Kabra. He said a departmental enquiry has already been initiated by the police headquarters against Saroop Singh, the then SHO of police station Kathua, for his failure to register a cognizable offence that took place in September2016, within the territorial jurisdiction of the police station.
“Mr. Saroop Singh, Inspector No.EXJ-006539, the then SHO P/S Kathua is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect,” the order added. (GNS).
