Bihar rights panel helps NRI abused by IPS

Shajendra Bihari Singh, a businessman from Russia, was allegedly beaten up and humiliated by policemen in Bihar's Patna district after he overtook the vehicle of an IPS probationer in April last year. A probe was ordered in the incident, but the BHRC rejected the report of the deputy inspector general of police (DIG) central range.

"The commission has not accepted the report by the DIG due to certain loopholes including lack of transparency in the inquiry and examining of witnesses related to the case," BHRC chairman S.N. Jha told IANS Friday.

BHRC has directed the inspector general of police (IG), Patna zone to conduct a fresh probe in the case.

An earlier report by the Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) was set aside by BHRC as it was based on the inquiry report of a sub-divisional police officer.

The commission, in its order last September, had expressed reservation as to how an independent inquiry could be conducted by a Deputy Superintendent of Police-rank officer when the allegations were against an IPS officer.

Shajendra Bihari Singh, in his early 40s, was beaten, abused and humiliated on April 18, 2010 after he overtook the car of IPS probationer Vivek Kumar while on his way from Jehanabad to native Dharhara village in Punpun near Patna. Vivek Kumar is currently posted as rural SP, Patna.

Shajendra Bihari Singh, who runs a restaurant in Russia, had then said that he was beaten like a criminal by policemen.

"I was innocent and I did not violate the law of the land, but the police treated me like a criminal and slapped me and hit me with batons," Shajendra Bihari Singh said.

"He (Vivek) was angered and stopped my vehicle a few minutes after I overtook him. He started abusing and beating me," he added.

Shajendra Bihari Singh said the policemen also thrashed his father Brijbihari Singh, who was with him.

The NRI lodged a complaint at the chief judicial magistrate's office in Patna civil court after the police refused to register a case.

Shajendra Bihari Singh had petitioned the state human rights commission for justice.