[Altaf custodial death] PUCL moves Allahabad High Court seeking establishment of fast-track police courts

A petition has been moved before the Allahabad High Court by People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), seeking establishment of fast-track police courts in Uttar Pradesh (UP) in light of the recent alleged custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf in Kasganj (PUCL v. State of Uttar Pradesh)..Altaf was called in for questioning by the UP Police and later found dead at the Kotwali Police Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasanj district on November 9.."Death of Altaf and other such persons in suspicious circumstances in police custody is viewed by any person of ordinary prudence as an institutional killing," the plea said.With regard to establishing fast-track police courts, the plea suggested that they should adjudicate upon the FIRs, complaints, and petitions against police officers, in cases of custodial torture, death, rape and other such offences, and for enforcement of various guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court. While referring to Altaf's case, the petitioners have sought protection to the bereaved family. The following interim reliefs have been sought: 1. To direct the DGP, U.P. (respondent no. 2), DM, Kasganj (respondent 1. no. 3), and SP, Kasganj (respondent no. 3), to ensure full police protection to the bereaved family of Altaf.2. To direct the Union and State Governments to install CCTV cameras in all Police Stations and other such police offices of CBI, NIA, etc., across the State of UP and otherwise, and duly equip the police officers with body-worn cameras and requisite technology for videography during investigations, and file a compliance report within a period of 45 days.3. To constitute a High-Powered Committee, headed by a siting or retired Judge(s) of the Allahabad Court, comprising all relevant stakeholders and a panel of experts, to work out and provide for the appropriate, recommendations, mechanisms, modalities and guidelines, to fill the gaping legal lacunae, as regards prosecution and punishment of police officers accused guilty of custodial torture/deaths/rapes. .PUCL also sought a directive that the CBI take over the investigation and proceed against the police officers and such other persons found to be involved in the alleged custodial death. Further, it has been prayed that competent guidelines should be framed by the court "to fill the gaping legal lacunae, as regards prosecution and punishment of police officers accused guilty o custodial torture/deaths/rapes, and for ensuring an effective legal framework and ts enforcement to fulfil the constitutional obligation af securing the right to life and human dignity.".The petition highlighted that in Uttar Pradesh, various Supreme Court decisions on mechanism to prevent custodial torture have gone unheeded, brazenly ignored and defied. "Hardly any police station in the State is equipped with CCTV Cameras, let alone usage of body-worn cameras or videography during investigations, which is in sheer transgression and mockery of the fundamental rights of the citizens guaranteed under Articles 14,19 and 21 of the Constitution, as also the majesty and dignity of the Indian judicial system," the petition stated..Altaf belonged to a family of labourers. The Uttar Pradesh police have claimed that Altaf hung himself to a tap in the police station washroom with the drawstring of his jacket's hood. His family has alleged that he was murdered in custody..The petition has been filed through advocates Shashwat Anand, Syed Ahmed Faizan, Rajesh Inamdar and settled by Senior Advocate SFA Naqvi.