The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that the Telangana police shot dead five undertrials while they were being taken to Hyderabad in connection with a court case on Tuesday.
The Commission, which is currently holding a camp sitting here, issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police, Telangana, calling for reports within two weeks. It will take up the matter at its camp sitting to be held at Hyderabad on April 23, a NHRC press note said here on Thursday.
According to media reports, the incident took place when the vehicle carrying the undertrials crossed the Warangal district border and reached the outskirts of Tanguturu village in Nalgonda district. One of the undertrials asked the police to halt the vehicle for a toilet break. While getting back to the van, he allegedly snatched an INSAS rifle from a policeman and fired two bullets at a sub-Inspector sitting in the front row, who ducked and escaped. Sensing danger, other constables immediately opened fire resulting in the instant death of five undertrials.
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The Commission, the press note said, observed that from the news report, “... it appears that this is an instance of blatant use of disproportionate force resulting in loss of lives of five undertrials who were in judicial custody and gross violation of human rights.”