The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Friday issued notice to the Additional Director-General of Police (Prisons) to submit a report within three weeks on the alleged assault of social activist Piyush Manush at the Salem Central Prison where he was lodged for 13 days.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the report, “I was beaten up by 30 prison officials – An act of excessive revenge: Manush” published in The Hindu on Friday, Justice T. Meenakumari, Chairperson, SHRC, Tamil Nadu, issued notice to the ADGP (Prisons) to submit the report within three weeks.
The SHRC called for conducting the enquiry by a competent person with copies of statements of witnesses examined by the enquiry officer to be enclosed. After submission of the report, the commission will hear the issue.
Mr. Manush, along with two of his associates, was arrested on July 8 following a protest against the construction of a flyover at Mulluvadi Gate in Salem. While the two were released on condition bail on July 14, Mr. Manush was released on July 21.
After his release, Mr. Manush said that he was assaulted by 30 prison officials inside the prison and demanded the institution of an inquiry commission to probe the incident.
Meanwhile, on Friday, as per the bail condition, Mr. Manush appeared and signed before the Judicial Magistrate No. 1 M. Kalaivani at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
