The People’s Union for Democratic Rights has alleged that 11 children at the Shalimar Bagh police station were tortured on June 26 and 27 and has reported that the police have launched cover up operation in order to shield the guilty policemen. The PUDR in an investigation the resultant report has said that these children who live in jhuggijhonpris near the Gauri Shankar Mandir in Shalimar Bagh were tortured at the police station and earlier at Taneja’s house, where a theft of Rs 16,000 and some valuables had taken place on June 26. Describing the vigilance inquiry, the results of which are still awaited as mere eyewash, the report has said that the policemen continue to harass and intimidate the jhuggijhongpri dwellers, According to the report some people had even been forced to change
their evidence regarding the incident. The report alleges that subinspector Pooran Chand and constable Pooran Parkash have let loose a reign of terror.
The report, released in New Delhi on Friday, says that following an FIR lodged by Taneja a resident of Shalimar Bagh the cash and jewelry were stolen from his house during his daughters marriage on June 26. The sub inspector and the constable had gone to the jhuggis nearby. They were reportedly accompanied by members from Taneja’s family and they allegedly beat up Prem Singh accusing him of masterminding the theft.
The two policemen reportedly returned after some time and rounded up 10 children including three girls. All the children between six and sixteen years old ‘were then reportedly taken to Taneja’s house where they were allegedly tortured by his family members and the police. The report quotes the jhuggidwellers as saying that their repeated pleas to release the children were unheard.
Later they along with Shiv Kumar 18, were also arrested and brought to the police station. The report says that the SHO of Shalimar Bagh police station assured the residents of the jhuggis that nothing would be done to the children. However the report alleges that 13 year old Munni was stripped naked and beaten and Lal, 13, was dragged with a rope around his neck to the residence of Taneja where he was also stripped naked.
Shravan Kumar, 12 the report alleges was beaten with leather belts and administered electric shocks while Shiv Kumar allegedly was stripped hung upside down from the ceiling and beaten until he became unconscious. Jeetu, 16, Babli, 10, Asha 10, Ghan Shyam, 11, Babulal, 11, Manoj, 6, and Macchia, 10 were also victims of similar torture.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 8, 1989
