PHRO Demands Judicial Probe into BSF Jawan's Death in NCB Custody in Amritsar
The Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) has issued a strong demand for a high-level judicial inquiry into the suspicious death of BSF jawan Jaswinder Singh, who died while in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Amritsar. The organisation has expressed grave concern, labeling the incident as a serious case of custodial torture and an alleged violation of human rights.
Allegations of Procedural Lapses and Family Distress
In a detailed statement, the PHRO raised critical questions about the circumstances surrounding the jawan's arrest and subsequent transfer. Jaswinder Singh was reportedly arrested in Jammu and brought to Amritsar, with his family allegedly kept uninformed about the reasons for his detention. Sarabjit Singh Verka, the principal investigator of PHRO, along with Dr Khushal Singh, the media in-charge, emphasized that this lack of transparency raises serious questions about adherence to legal procedures.
The organisation further highlighted allegations from the deceased's family, who claim that Jaswinder Singh faced physical assault and mental harassment during his custody. Verka added, "Such behaviour towards a soldier serving the nation is unacceptable in any civilised society."
Demands for Justice and Accountability
The PHRO has put forth several demands to ensure justice and accountability in this case:
- A judicial inquiry supervised by a sitting High Court judge to ascertain the truth behind the death.
- Registration of a murder case against the concerned officials if the post-mortem report confirms evidence of torture.
- Videography of the post-mortem examination, to be conducted by a panel of expert doctors under magisterial supervision.
- Adequate compensation for the victim's family and transportation of the body to his native place with full honours.
The organisation has announced plans to approach the Punjab Human Rights Commission to hold the officials accountable. Additionally, it warned that if the government fails to take concrete steps, the matter will be escalated to national and international human rights bodies.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about custodial practices and human rights protections in India, particularly involving security personnel. The PHRO's call for a judicial probe aims to bring clarity and justice to a case that has sparked outrage and demands for systemic reforms.
