Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Complaints Before the Commission
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to look into the plight of the undertrial prisoners in Tihar in general and the unfortunate women
in particular, and to issue appropriate directions as deemed fit. A copy of letter dated 20/2/
2004 addressed by Chairperson, NHRC to the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court is submitted
as Annexure 6.
4.13 The Hon’ble Chairperson was informed by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of High Court of
Delhi that, after calling for report from the learned public prosecutor and hearing the matter by a
Division Bench, appropriate orders had been passed in a number of such cases. A copy of the
letter dated 19/5/2004 addressed by Hon’ble Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to the Hon’ble
Chairperson, NHRC is submitted as Annexure 6.
4.14 Thus, by the intervention of the Commission, many poor people got justice and many sick
and infirm and aged male and female accused could be released.
B] Investigation of Cases
4.15 In its crusade to ascertain truth in the allegations in a complaint, investigations ordered by
the Commission are carried out by the Investigation Division of the Commission which is headed
by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police. He is assisted by a DIG, three senior
Superintendents of police and 21 other investigators of various ranks. The Investigation Division,
acting under directives of the Commission collects facts in respect of complaints received by the
Commission and to place those facts before the Commission. The Division also monitors cases
in respect of which the Commission has ordered investigation by the CID or CBI.
4.16 The investigation of cases by the team from Investigation Division of the Commission
helps it in ascertaining the facts in respect of complaints received by it directly in the shortest
possible time. This is an invaluable information to the Commission in the discharge of its duties
and allows the Commission to gain public confidence by the impartial and independent handling
of the matters.
4.17 During the year 2004-2005, the Commission directed its Investigation Division to look
into 2805 cases, as compared with 3538 cases during the year 2003-2004. Of these cases 2747
related to the collection of facts from different parts of the country. In 58 instances, however, the
Commission directed the teams to conduct inquiries on the spot. These inquiries were conducted
mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Haryana and Jharkhand.
4.18 Investigation Division also continued to assist the Commission in the onerous task of
processing and scrutinizing the large number of cases of custodial deaths reported to it over
the years. The details of that effort are provided in Chapter III of this report. Further, the
analysis and advice of the Investigation Division was frequently requested by the Commission
in respect of complaints alleging deaths in fake encounters, or the violation of human rights
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