The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has mandated a comprehensive investigation into the disturbing case of Karla Rajesh, a Dalit man who died following his detention by police. The commission has described the allegations of illegal detention, custodial torture, and subsequent death as 'serious' matters that demand an exhaustive inquiry to uncover the truth.
Complaints and Allegations of Police Brutality
The commission initiated proceedings based on separate complaints filed by Rajesh's mother, Karla Lalitha, and MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga. The complaints present a harrowing sequence of events. They allege that Karla Rajesh was unlawfully detained by the Chilkur and Kodad rural police. During this custody, he was reportedly subjected to severe third-degree interrogation methods.
Furthermore, the complaints state that Rajesh was falsely implicated in criminal cases and deliberately denied access to his family while he was held. Rajesh was an accused in the Chief Minister's Relief Fund scam. It was argued before the commission that the severe injuries sustained due to custodial torture led to his deteriorating health. He was later moved from a sub-jail to government hospitals, where he ultimately died on November 16.
Commission's Directive and Official Response
The TGHRC observed that if these allegations are proven true, they would constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and due legal process. Emphasizing the case's severity, the commission declared that a thorough examination of all related complaints is essential to establish factual accuracy and assign responsibility.
To this end, the commission has directed the Principal Secretary of the Home Department to submit a detailed report. This report must encompass:
- The precise circumstances leading to Rajesh's detention.
- The nature and timeline of medical treatment provided to him.
- A complete sequence of events that culminated in his death.
In a related disciplinary action last week, Kodad Rural Circle Inspector Pratap Lingam was suspended. Simultaneously, Chilkur Station House Officer Suresh Reddy was attached to the Superintendent of Police's office. These actions were taken due to their alleged negligence in ensuring Rajesh received timely and adequate medical care.
Family's Account and Demands for Justice
According to Rajesh's family members and relatives, the tragic episode began with his arrest on November 4. They maintain that he was subjected to brutal torture while in police custody, which directly caused his death twelve days later, on November 16. The family's pursuit of justice, supported by Dalit rights activists, has now gained formal recognition with the human rights commission's intervention, setting the stage for an official probe into potential misconduct and rights abuses.
