New Delhi(India): National Human Rights Commission of India has taken cognizance of a case where a Brahmin man spent 20 years in jail for no crime. In a report published by the NHRC, they issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report on the matter. The report must include the action taken against the public servants responsible in this case and steps taken for the relief and rehabilitation of the victim to compensate up to some extent for the trauma, mental agony and social stigma he has suffered during these years.
It has been reported by Neo Politico that the accused was found innocent by the Allahabad High Court after scanning all the facts and witnesses.
The victim was reportedly accused of rape, criminal intimidation and sexual exploitation of a woman belonging to Scheduled Caste in 1999, and during the trial of the case by a lower court in Lalitpur District, he was found guilty. In the year 2003, he was moved to Agra Central Jail where his conduct was always good. In the year 2005, he decided to challenge the verdict of the lower court and approached the High Court. After completing a period of fourteen years, the victim moved Mercy Plea and the prison authorities stepped in. The State Legal Services Authorities helped him in preferring an appeal in the High Court and on 28.01.2021, a Division Bench of the Allahabad High Court declared him, not guilty.
NHRC also commented that during this period, every member of his family had died. His conduct in the jail was always found good, but his application for furlough was not allowed to attend the cremation of his father. He was not even allowed to attend his brother’s funeral.
The response is expected within 6 weeks. There are possibilities that the state government would provide government aid and a source of livelihood to the acquitted man. Furthermore, the officers involved in submitting false charge sheet can also face stringent action.
