The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police over the alleged torture meted out to Salem-based social and environmental activist Piyush Manush inside the Salem Central Prison.
Mr. Manush, who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly preventing contractors from executing a flyover project in Salem, and his family members had alleged that he was beaten up by over 30 prison personnel inside the jail premises where he was remanded in judicial custody.
In a press release issued on Saturday, the NHRC said it had received a complaint that Mr. Manush was ill-treated and brutally tortured by prison authorities in Salem after being arrested without following the due process of law.
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Stating that the allegations were serious in nature and amounted to human rights violation, the NHRC issued notice to the State government to respond within two weeks to the charges.
Suicide issue
“Allegedly, (a) top official had directed the prison authorities to thrash him as he had spearheaded a protest demanding justice for (the) death of (a) 21-year-old woman graduate who committed suicide over the use of her morphed image on Facebook and also for a protest over construction of Mulluvadi Bridge.
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“His hands were tied and he was beaten by a 30-member team led by the Superintendent of Prison,” the release said, adding that the activist was also allegedly in solitary confinement.
Mr. Manush was released from prison on bail last week.