Man fakes murder to put wife in jail: NHRC notice to Haryana

The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of a report on Sohan Lal, a transport agent who suspected his wife of having an illicit affair with another person. "In a bid to punish his wife, Sohan with the help of his business partner murdered an innocent man resembling his built and height who could be passed of as him. They threw the body in Palwal canal after disfiguring it. He also planted his purse carrying PAN card and other IDs on the body," the rights panel noted in a statement.

On April 22, the decomposed body was recovered from the Palwal canal which was identified as that of Sohan by his father and brother. Subsequently, two cases were lodged against his wife Laxmi and others.

"She was arrested along with her brother Jal Singh and her alleged lover's father Inder Singh. Her two brothers and her alleged lover Sonu are reportedly absconding. Meanwhile, Sohan eloped with his minor sister-in-law and was apprehended from Okhla in Delhi," it said. It observed that if the contents of the media report are true then it is an issue of human rights violation of innocent persons who are in jail for a crime which they did not commit.

The NHRC has issued notices to Haryana Chief Secretary and the state DGP, calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks. The DGP has also been directed to send a copy of the entire record of the investigation in the case.