"Very sorry state of affairs:" Allahabad High Court directs DGP to file personal affidavit on former soldier's plea alleging torture by UP Police

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file his reply affidavit on a plea moved by a former Indian Army soldier alleging brutal torture by Uttar Pradesh Police (Resham Singh v. State of UP).A Division Bench comprising Justices Surya Prakash Kesarwani and Gautam Chowdhary, said that the allegations raised by the petitioner are very serious and reflects a "very sorry" state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh."First information Reports prima facie, shows a very sorry state of affairs and police atrocities," the Court said. The FIR along with medical reports prima facie indicate breach of fundamental rights of the petitioner guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India by the accused police officers, the Court added. The Court, therefore, directed the DGP to file a personal affidavit and asked the Advocate General to assist the court in the matter. ."The matter is serious and requires a serious consideration by this Court. In view of the aforesaid, we direct the respondent no.2 (DGP) to file a counter affidavit by means of his personal affidavit. In his counter affidavit he shall also indicate the action taken in the matter, if any. The Court also asked the Advocate General to appear and assist the Court in the matter. .The petition was moved by Sardar Resham Singh alleging that he was brutally tortured by the Uttar Pradesh Police. He was travelling along with his mother and two sisters from Pilibhit to Lakhim Pur Kheri on May 3 to offer their last respect to the brother-in-law of Sardar Resham Singh who had passed away on May 2.On the way, they were stopped by the police officials who enquired about their purpose of travel..Singh, therefore, started sorting out documents asked by police officials when they "instantaneously started abusing him and his family members," the plea alleged.The policemen then started brutally beating Sardar Resham Singh and his mother and sisters with sticks, fists, the plea contended."Not only did the Police officials beat the victim, but they also abused him and his religious beliefs, to the extent that the victim was humiliated and petrified and persecuted by the officials. The Officials even removed the Turban of the victim," Singh's plea said..Former Indian Army soldier moves Allahabad High Court alleging brutal torture by UP Police: Court asks state to get instructions.Singh later posted a video of the ordeal on social media highlighting the atrocities of the Police officials. When the said video went viral, the police authorities took cognizance and called him to the office and assured him that justice would be done. Despite that, no offences were registered under Section 295A of Indian Penal Code though he was humiliated and tortured on the basis of his religion.Further, it was also submitted that no charges under Section 377 were registered..Even the Pilibhit Police had responded to the claims of the petitioner along with the status of the probe..The matter will be heard next on July 17. .[Read order]