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PUCL, family of custodial death victim Darshan demand judicial inquiry into Viveknagar police action

BENGALURU: Activists of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Karnataka, and family members of Darshan, 22, who died due to the alleged torture by Viveknagar police, have demanded that a judicial inquiry be ordered into the case instead of a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Following the illegal detention and custodial torture of 22-year-old Darshan, who died on November 26, the Viveknagar Police Inspector and three police personnel were suspended on Tuesday. Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, YJ Rajendra, vice-president of PUCL, alleged that the police have been threatening Darshans wife to withdraw the case after his death. She has also been offered money. Darshan was allegedly illegally detained by Viveknagar police on November 12. He was allegedly tortured and assaulted, and later sent to a rehabilitation centre on November 16. On November 26, he died at the rehabilitation centre,Prof Rajendra said. PUCL has formed a fact-finding team of advocates and members from various organisations. Though Darshan was illegally detained, the police did not give any memo to his family,PUCL members said. Darshans mother Adilakshmi said though he suffered injuries, the police did not take him to hospital. She did not sign any consent form to send Darshan to the Unity Foundation Rehab Centre, theyalleged. Theysaid SHRC did not take any action against the police personnel for the alleged torture and human rights violation. The government should ensure the safety of Darshans family members, especially his wife, and order a judicial inquiry intohis death,it added. Darshans wife Ashwini told that police officers visited her house and offered money, asking hernot to go ahead with the case. I dont want money. I have a two-year-old daughter. I want justice. That is why we are here. No one should face this situation, she said. Adilakshmi stated that the police had brutally assaulted her son with lathis and pipes inside the station. They shifted him to the rehabilitation centre to hush up the custodial torture. Darshan was not given medical help at the rehabilitationcentre despite visible injuries and his inability to walk. Darshan had bruises on his chest, swollen hands, injuries on his left leg, and a wound on his shin when he was brought to the government hospital at Nelamangala. Madanayakanahalli police have registered a case against the Viveknagar police inspector, three policemen, including Pavan, and the owner and staff of the rehabilitation centre under Sections 103 (punishment for murder), 127 (wrongful confinement), and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.