A few days ago, Prajavani had published a news item about an NGO staging a demonstration in front of the Hanumanthanagar police station, to protest the alleged atrocities of policemen who gave electric shock to four children, suspecting them to be thieves.

Taking serious note, High Court Judge and KSLSA Chairperson Justice Gopala Gowda wrote a letter to the State Human Rights Commission referring to the incident and said, “It appears that no action has been taken...”  Justice Gowda asked the SHRC to initiate action against the erring police officers. The contents of the letter were published in various newspapers.

On Monday, former Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court and SHRC chairperson Justice S R Nayak held a press conference to refute the comments made by Justice Gowda. Justice Nayak said, “There appears to be a communication gap from their (KSLSA’s) side. The lordship (Justice Gowda) may not be knowing that we have already initiated action.”

Justice Nayak said someone from SICHREM, a human rights organisation, had informed the SHRC over the phone on February 14, about the atrocities on small children by the Hanumanthanagar police.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the SHRC registered a case (433/2008- SM23), directed the Inspector General of Police MN Reddy to look into the matter, and the top police officer rushed to the spot. He investigated the matter and submitted an interim inquiry report. The enquiry is still in the process, said Justice Nayak.

The State Human Rights Commission chairperson also showed a tabloid which had published the report on February 15, about the action initiated by the Commission in connection with the alleged atrocities by the Hanumanthanagar police.

However, Justice Nayak made it clear he has no differences with Justice Gowda.  “Justice Gowda is very close to me. Because the matter appeared in the newspapers, it became necessary for us to tell the people that the SHRC is not sitting quietly,” said Justice Nayak.